Romanian Premier Refuses to Quit as Protests Grow Despite U-Turn
- Sixth straight day of demonstrations sees record turnout
- Government Sunday reversed steps seen as harming graft fight
TOPSHOT - A man holds a Romanian national flag during a demonstration to protest against controversial decrees to pardon corrupt politicians and decriminalise other offences, on January 29, 2017 in Bucharest. Around 40,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Bucharest and other Romanian towns on January 29, 2017. / AFP / ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI (Photo credit should read ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI/AFP/Getty Images)
Photographer: Andrei Pungovschi/AFP via Getty ImagesRomania’s prime minister defied calls to quit as his cabinet’s decision to scrap measures seen as damaging the nation’s anti-corruption drive failed to stem the largest protests since the fall of communism.
Premier Sorin Grindeanu said the only democratic way to change government is through a no-confidence motion in parliament, where his Social Democrats dominate. Reversing plans to pardon some convicted officials and shield others from future prosecution wasn’t enough to prevent a sixth straight day of demonstrations. A record 600,000 people gathered Sunday evening nationwide demanding the cabinet resigns, including 300,000 in Bucharest, local media estimated. A few hundred, mostly pensioners, gathered to support the government.