Protests against Romanian Government’s initiatives on justice to continue this week

More protests against the Government’s plans to pardon prisoners and change some provisions in the Penal Codes are to be organized in Bucharest this week. The most recent protest saw some 50,000 people marching on the streets of Bucharest and chanting slogans against the two ordinances, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) – which initiated the bills, and PSD leader Liviu Dragnea. The protesters were also unhappy with the way some local televisions presented the protests, and the fact that the audiovisual watchdog CNA did nothing against them. According to the Facebook event, Romanians will again gather in Universitatii Square in Bucharest on Sunday, 17:00, and will then march to the Government, where they will continue their protest. Moreover, another protest was announced for Wednesday. “February 1 is the decisive day: the ordinance that decriminalizes abuse of office, aka the Dragnea Ordinance, will be on the Government meeting’s agenda. Come tomorrow in Victoriei Square, starting 09:00, to show them that they can’t do whatever they want, as they please,” reads the Facebook event’s presentation. Local Hotnews.ro reported on Tuesday, citing political sources, that the changes to the Penal Code and the Penal Procedure Code may be adopted by emergency ordinance, and will most likely be discussed during the Government’s meeting on Wednesday. On the other hand, the pardon measure will be proposed via a draft bill to be sent to the Parliament for debate. The Justice Minister organized public consultations on the prison pardon and the changes to the Penal Codes on Monday, January 30. After the debates, justice minister Florin Iordache said that he would present to the Government some “coherent measures” related to the criminal law. Also on Monday, President Klaus Iohannis asked the once again to give up its intention to pardon thousands of convicted criminals and to change the criminal law