February 26 (SeeNews) - The Romanian government will repeal the provisions of a decree allowing judges to head prosecuting units, justice minister Tudorel Toader said.
"Considering the concerns expressed primarily by prosecutors who have been puzzled by the prospect of being led by a judge, [...] we have proposed and agreed to completely repeal Article 54," Toader said in a statement broadcast by local TV station Digi 24 on Monday evening.
The provisions are part of a controversial emergency decree approved last week by the Social Democrat-led government that has sparked criticism by the European Commission, president Klaus Iohannis and opposition parties who said it aims to increase political control over the judiciary.
On Friday, prosecutors across the country said they will halt activity for three days starting Monday over what they see as a threat to judicial independence. They also turned down prime minister Viorica Dancila's invitation to talks, saying that discussions should have taken place before the government issued its emergency decree that alters several justice laws and not post factum.
On Sunday, some 10,000 Romanians rallied in front of the government building in Bucharest to protest against a government decree changing justice bills, which they believe is weakening the country's fight against corruption.
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