Hey Tamas (or anybody else) any thoughts on what is going on in Romania?

[Valmy]

An estimated half a million people have once again held rallies across Romania despite the government backing down over a controversial decree.

Earlier the Social Democrats scrapped a measure which would have protected many politicians from prosecution for corruption.

But protesters still appear to be dissatisfied about a revised version of the bill and some are calling for the government to resign.

Alexandru, a teacher from Bucharest said: "It's not about one decree, it's about a way of doing politics. Seriously, we're tired of the same old things. We're gathered here all together, to change not this council of politics (government), it's about the people, not about a small amount of guys making laws for their benefit. That's it."

Tudor Chirila is an actor and singer who has emerged as a voice for the young.of these protests.

"They're trying to escape conviction. In my opinion, this is what it's all about because they don't want to talk to the people. They don't want a dialogue."

The decree would have decriminalised abuse of power offences where sums of less than €44,000 were involved. The government said it's chief aim had been to relive pressure on Romania's overcrowded jails.

President Klaus Iohannis who had urged the government to scrap the measure is expected to make a statement on Monday (Feb 6).

http://www.euronews.com/2017/02/06/romania-protesters-extend-demands

Did this just come out of nowhere? What is going on over there? I haven't seen Romania in the news for awhile so I am pretty out of touch.

[Tamas]

They are putting us Hungarians to shame that's what's happening.

Basically they wanted to legalise mid-size corruption. This after a long period of the anti-corruption unit of the attorney's office doing some impressive arrests and investigations.

But IIRC the people in its eternal wisdom elected the very corrupt bastards back into power, after which they came up with this great idea of just making it legal.

Romanians, very much unlike Hungarians, would have none of that.

[Valmy]

Cool. Thanks. So it was just corruption.

I mean the last time Romanians flooded into the streets they overthrew the government.

[Zanza]

In general Romania has been the positive democratic-civic society poster child of Eastern Europe for the last 5-10 years. Their population actually seems to care a bit.

[celedhring]

Cool. Thanks. So it was just corruption.

I mean the last time Romanians flooded into the streets they overthrew the government.

Yeah, last time they rose up against a corrupt kleptocrat they had him shot in a matter of days. I can see why the current government would relent.