Clashes as Romanians protest law decriminalising some graft

Protesters and riot police clashed sporadically in Romania's capital as tens of thousands demonstrated against the government for decriminalising some official misconduct, a move that critics at home and abroad called a major a setback for the anti-corruption fight.
A handful of protesters threw firecrackers and smoke bombs at police guarding the main government offices, who responded with tear gas. At least one person was detained and a newspaper kiosk was set on fire.
Media reported that the violent protesters were football supporters and not anti-government demonstrators.
Emergency situations official Raed Arafat said two police officers and two demonstrators were treated at hospitals for minor injuries. An unspecified number of other officers sustained light injuries.

It was the second consecutive night of protests against the government, whose adoption of an emergency ordinance that decriminalizes abuse in office went against widespread protests and warnings from prosecutors and the president.
The ordinance was published in the official government monitor at 3 am yesterday.

The speed with which the center-left government approved the proposal and the hour of its action alarmed critics. The coalition government has been in office for less than a month and the ordinance benefits its allies and Romanian officials facing corruption charges.
"It shows that the government is willing to use backdoor methods with no scrutiny or checks and balances in order to protect and promote itself," said Dan Brett, an associate professor at the Open University.

There were protests in a half dozen cities around Romania, with people calling for the resignation of the government.
President Klaus Iohannis, who has limited powers and doesn't oversee the government, called the measure's adoption "a day of mourning for the rule of law."
In recent years, Romania has been touted as a regional leader for targeting the rich and the powerful in a crackdown on corruption. But the drive proved unpopular with politicians.