Romanian Jewish representative criticises president for challenging hate speech bill

FILE PHOTO: People queue in a cemetery as they visit the tomb of Ilie Lacatusu, one of the Romanian Orthodox Church's latest saints, bearing the flag with the insignia of the Iron Guard, one of Europe's most violent antisemitic movements in the 20th century, in Bucharest, Romania April 13, 2025. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu/File Photo

BUCHAREST (Reuters) -A Romanian Jewish legislator said he would return his national order of merit on Friday in protest after the centrist president challenged a bill seeking harsher punishment for antisemitism and hate speech in the country's top court.

Romania's parliament updated existing legislation outlawing the celebration of fascist leaders or imagery in June at the proposal of Jewish lawmaker Silviu Vexler, introducing prison sentences for the promotion of antisemitism and xenophobia via social media platforms.