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Romania: government faces no-confidence vote

Protesters are cordoned in front of the government building in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017. Romania's president Klaus Iohannis told lawmakers Tuesday the country is in a "fully-fledged" political crisis, after hundreds of thousands demonstrated against a government measure that would weaken the country's anti-corruption drive. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) Protesters are cordoned in front of the government building in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017. Romania's president Klaus Iohannis told lawmakers Tuesday the country is in a "fully-fledged" political crisis, after hundreds of thousands demonstrated against a government measure that would weaken the country's anti-corruption drive. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

By Associated Press February 8, 2017 1 min read

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) – Romania’s center-left government faces a vote of no-confidence over a measure to decriminalize official misconduct, a proposal that sent hundreds of thousands on the streets in protest.

The government of Premier Sorin Grindeanu is expected to survive the vote Wednesday as the Social Democratic Party and its junior partner, the Alliance of Democratic Liberals, have a majority in Parliament.

Last week, the government bypassed parliament and enacted an emergency ordinance which decriminalized some forms of official corruption. Critics said it would benefit senior officials facing corruption charges.

The massive protests were the largest seen since communism collapsed in Romania in 1989. As a result, the government will now seek to introduce the plan in Parliament.

President Klaus Iohannis says the country is in a “fully fledged” political crisis.