Authorities put forward referendum on how to fight corruption following continued protests in Romania

Thousands of Romanians returned to the streets in February 2017 in protest, calling on the government to resign as they accused it of attempting to water down anti-corruption laws.

In an attempt to address the concerns of the population, the Romanian parliament approved a proposal for a referendum on how to fight corruption, following a suggestion of President Klaus Iohannis.

Social unrest in the country started when the government approved on 31 January 2017 an emergency decree that would have decriminalised several graft offences. The decree was widely criticised in Romania and elsewhere, prompting a large display of popular anger. The government was forced to rescind the decree, and its architect resigned. Protests continued nonetheless.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Commentary features on protests in Romania http://www.europeansources.info/record/romanians-resilience-romania-reflections-on-the-street-protests-and-the-countrys-communist-past-survey-evidence-why-people-are-protesting-in-romania-romania-protests-no-flas/

ESO: Background information: Romania’s protests: A response to a three-pronged assault on anti-corruption measures http://www.europeansources.info/record/romanias-protests-a-response-to-a-three-pronged-assault-on-anti-corruption-measures/

The Guardian, 13.02.17: Romania protests enter 13th day with calls for government of 'thieves' to resign https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/13/romania-protests-enter-13th-day-with-calls-for-government-of-thieves-to-resign

France24, 12.02.17: Romanian protesters return to streets for 13th day http://www.france24.com/en/20170212-romanian-anti-government-protests-enter-twelfth-day

The New York Times, 12.02.17: Anger and Mistrust Fuel Unabated Protests in Romania https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/12/world/europe/romania-bucharest-protests-corruption.html

Euronews, 12.02.17: Romanian anti-corruption protests continue http://www.euronews.com/2017/02/12/romanian-anti-corruption-protests-continue

Deutsche Welle, 12.02.17: Nearly two weeks in, protesters continue calls for Romania's government to resign http://dw.com/p/2XRCe

EUObserver, 14.02.17: Romania to hold corruption referendum https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/136892

Politico, 13.02.17: Romania to hold a referendum on anti-corruption reforms http://www.politico.eu/article/romania-to-hold-a-referendum-on-anti-corruption-reforms-protests/

Euro|Topics: February 2017: What will a referendum on corruption achieve? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/173289/what-will-a-referendum-on-corruption-achieve

Blog: Verfassungsblog, 15.02.17: Living Democracy in Romania: From Protest to Referendum ? http://verfassungsblog.de/living-democracy-in-romania-from-protest-to-referendum/

EUObserver, 20.02.17: Why Romania erupted in protest https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/136958

EurActiv, 21.02.17: Romania’s have-a-go heroes fight corruption http://www.euractiv.com/section/all/news/romanias-have-a-go-heroes-fight-corruption/

EurActiv, 27.02.17: Thousands form huge EU flag during Bucharest protest http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/thousands-form-huge-eu-flag-during-bucharest-protest/

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