Romanian presidency hails annulation of controversial ordinance

Romanian presidency spokesperson Madalina Dobrovolschi late Saturday hailed the decision announced by the prime minister to repeal the controversial emergency ordinance on amending Criminal Code.

"The decision announced this evening by Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu is an important step to normalization," Dobrovolschi told official Agerpres news agency, stressing that "an important step is made to correct the situation created".

According to her, the government is responsible with solving the crisis it created.

The prime minister announced late Saturday that the government would revoke the emergency ordinance which changed Criminal Code in an emergency meeting on Sunday.

Grindeanu made the announcement after an emergency meeting of the ruling Social Democrats, saying that he did not want the Romanian people to split into two opposing camps.

"All the arguments we had in supporting the ordinance were not very well communicated ... A lot of confusion was created. And very many distortions that are not related to what was adopted in the end," he explained.

The prime minister said that he would soon initiate a consultation with other parties and send to the Parliament at the shortest a draft law on the amending Criminal Code.

The emergency ordinance, which was passed on Jan. 31, triggered huge protests in Romania over the past several days.

The emergency ordinance has redefined, and partially decriminalized abuse of office offenses.

After the ordinance was adopted, Justice Minister Florin Iordache said that abuse of office was to be considered a crime only if the damages exceeded 200,000 lei (47,500 U.S. dollars).

However, the opposition and protesters complained that the changes would likely prevent some politicians charged with crimes from being punished.

source: Xinhua