Protests continue for seventh day in Romania

Around 20,000 people protested on Monday evening in front of the government building, asking for PM Sorin Grindeanu and his center-left government to step down. Several thousands more rallied in major cities across the country calling for the same move, although Grindeanu said he doesn’t plan to leave the government.

Starting January 31, people have rallied each night in front of the government, initially calling for the repeal of controversial amendments to the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedural Code. The protests recorded a record attendance on Sunday, hours after the government scrapped the amendments. An estimated 250,000 people asked for the resignation of the government in Victoriei Square, while more than half a million protesters had gathered across Romania and abroad.

However, starting Sunday, several thousands people have also rallied near the Cotroceni Palace, asking for president Klaus Iohannis to step down. Some of the more vocal protesters, mainly seniors, were claiming that Iohannis was trying to divide Romania, an idea that was first promoted by the head of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea.

At the moment, the government has fully abandoned any initiatives to change the penal legislation, according to public statements.

Meanwhile, Dragnea, who is also the president of the Chamber of Deputies, suggested that the Parliament will approve Iohannis’ request for the organization of a referendum on Romania’s anti-corruption efforts.