March 28 (SeeNews) - Romanian president Klaus Iohannis on Thursday proposed to hold a referendum to ask Romanians whether they agree to the controversial changes in justice legislation enforced by the left-wing government.
"I am calling for a referendum on May 26, because we cannot tolerate PSD's [Social Democrat Party] assault on justice," Klaus Iohannis said in a televised statement broadcast by Digi24. "Justice is a matter of national interest, and citizens have the sovereign right to decide whether or not to let corruption become state policy."
Elections for members of the European Parliament will be held in Romania on May 26.
The president's proposal comes following discussions with NGOs and representatives of civil society, the judiciary and professional associations of magistrates.
Iohannis also criticized the government for planning to amend the Criminal Code by issuing yet another emergency decree.
"The fact that this government so often resorts to emergency decrees is not in the spirit of the Constitution and it does not serve the democratic balance of state powers. Emergency decrees have virtually lost their essential purpose and have become [...] an abusive and excessively used tool. We have to put an end to this practice now," Iohannis added.
Last month, the government approved an emergency decree which changes justice laws, sparking criticism from the European Commission, the Romanian judiciary and opposition parties.
One of the most controversial changes stipulates that high-level prosecuting units cannot be managed by an interim for longer than 45 days. The change targets the deadlock at Romania's anti-corruption agency DNA, which has been led by an interim for several months following the dismissal of Laura Codruta Kovesi.
The decree also removes the prosecutor general's control of the special prosecuting unit tasked with investigating Kovesi, who is currently a top candidate to lead the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
Thousands of Romanians protested last month for two Sundays in a row against the decree which they believe is weakening the country's fight against corruption. Magistrates across the country are also currently protesting against the changes, even though the government repealed a provision of the decree allowing judges to head prosecuting units.