Romanian president considers referendum over government's justice plan


Romanian President Klaus Iohannis waves to protesters gathered at a demonstration against government plans to grant prison pardons and decriminalize some offences through emergency decree, in Bucharest, Romania, January 22, 2017. Inquam Photos/Liviu Florin Albei via REUTERS

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Monday he could hold a referendum on the government's plans to decriminalise certain offences and to pardon convicts through decrees, moves critics say could harm efforts to stamp out high-level corruption.

Thousands of people have rallied in Bucharest and cities in recent days to protest against the plans, which have been criticised by Iohannis, the prosecutor general, the supreme court, the chief anti-corruption prosecutor as well as civil rights groups.

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