November 24, 2024

Romania Faces More Turbulence after Dragnea Sentence

Opponents of Romania’s ruling Social Democratic Party are preparing for more street protests after its leader received a second corruption sentence last week.

Romanian anti-corruption activists and opposition supporters prepared for more protests on Monday after the ruling Social Democrats showed strong support for their party leader, Liviu Dragnea, despite his receiving a second corruption-related sentence last week.

The Social Democrats were set to meet on Monday and decide on a new procedure to change the criminal code by government decree in order to avoid lengthy deliberations in the parliament.

Over 10,000 protesters gathered on Sunday night in front of the government building while thousands more demonstrated in cities across the country.

Activists say they will keep on protesting until the ruling party abandons its plans to change anti-corruption legislation.

“We want a country where my children can grow up safely, without criminals in public office,” Flavia Chirila, 32, told BIRN on Sunday. “We will be here, on the streets, until they give up,” she added.

Courts last week found Dragnea guilty in a case involving two secretaries who had earned salaries from the local child protection agency while actually working for the local Social Democratic Party branch.

At the time, Dragnea headed the Teleorman County Council, which controlled the child protection agency, and he also led the local Social Democratic Party branch.

The court ruling was not final and may be appealed at the Supreme Court.

However, it was Dragnea’s second corruption sentence in three years.

He ws previsouly sentenced to two-year suspended jail sentence for attempting to rig a referendum in 2012.

Most Social Democrat leaders have meanwhile rallied behind their leader, saying that he does not need to resign until the court ruling is final.

For more read the full of article at The Balkaninsight

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