Romanian leader decries majority's 'dictatorship' over penal reforms

BUCHAREST: Romania's parliament voted through controversial changes to the penal code on Wednesday, a move condemned by President Klaus Iohannis as "dictatorship of the majority".
In a fast-paced process rarely seen in the east-European country, the amendments passed all the parliamentary procedures in less then a week and were passed by a margin of 168 to 97 in the lower chamber plenary.
The left-wing ruling coalition argues that the changes, which partially decriminalise abuse of office, are needed to stop "abuses" from part of the judiciary.
However the centre-right opposition, to which Iohannis belongs, has slammed the move which they say is aimed at overturning a prison sentence given to Liviu Dragnea. the powerful leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party.
"What we've seen these days is called dictatorship of the majority and is profoundly harmful for democracy", Iohannis said in a statement.
Public prosecutor Augustin Lazar also criticised the penal reforms, which he said had been "made in conformity with the attitudes and vices of the defendants, not by EU standards".
Anti-corruption investigators said more than 200 cases involving abuse of office could be scrapped under the new penal code.
Last week 12 Western nations issued a joint warning that the judicial reforms proposed by Romanian lawmakers could "impede international law enforcement cooperation".
Dragnea, widely seen as the most powerful politician in the country, was sentenced last month to three-and-a-half years in prison over a fake jobs scandal, a decision he has appealed.
He could not serve as prime minister because of a previous conviction, in 2016, for vote-rigging.
"Do you think they will let me get away? Let's be serious," Dragnea told reporters on Tuesday, when asked whether the law change could keep him out of jail.
Under Wednesday's law changes, abuse of office is no longer a crime if prosecutors can't prove that the defendant committed the deed for his own benefit or that of close relatives.
Also, an official who makes less then 1,900 lei (EUR407) as a result of his crime will not be prosecuted. Maximum jail time is also reduced from seven to five years for this offence.
President Iohannis and the opposition said they would challenge the bill at the constitutional court. — AFP