The Romanian government has backed down from plans to decriminalise corruption offences after days of mass protests in Bucharest. The prime minister, Sorin Grindeanu, said that the law would be repealed in a cabinet meeting on Sunday after an estimated 140,000 demonstrators protested against the law close to his office. It was the fifth consecutive night of protests against the proposal. The prime minister said the proposal would be sent to the Romanian parliament for debate, which experts warn is not likely to appease protesters, who want the proposal to be cancelled completely. The protests, which have witnessed huge crowds in Bucharest and other major cities, have been the largest since the fall of communism in 1989.

Source: The Guardian February 04, 2017 19:23 UTC