Massive protest in Romania

Romanians gathered outside the government headquarters in Bucharest and other cities on Sunday to protest against the Social Democrat government who tried to weaken a crackdown on corruption earlier this month.
The one-month old cabinet of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu, enraged public opinion when it approved an emergency decree that would have decriminalised several graft offenses.
The decree, which was widely criticised in Romania and by its Western allies, prompted the largest display of popular anger since the fall of communism in 1989, with at least half a million people taking to the streets last Sunday.
The government rescinded the decree and its architect, Justice Minister Florin Iordache resigned, citing a need to appease public opinion but arguing he had done nothing wrong.
While the turnout has fallen since last Sunday, rallies have continued throughout the week, with protesters demanding the resignation of a government they say they cannot trust.
In Bucharest, at least 50,000 people gathered outside the government, carrying banners that said “Resist” and chanting “Thieves”. They raised pieces of red, yellow and blue coloured paper above their heads to form a giant Romanian flag. Tens of thousands protested in other Romanian cities and abroad.

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