The European Union today expressed "concern" over the controversial justice reform plans in Romania, raising the alarm for a "backtrack" in the fight against corruption.
Last Saturday, thirty thousand demonstrators took to the streets in Bucharest to demonstrate against a package of legislative changes that effectively compress the powers of the Romanian anti-corruption organization. According to Brussels, Romania is not doing enough to deal with crime and corruption to bring its legal system to the levels of European standards.
European Commission Head Jean-Claude Juncker and President Frans Timmermans, in a joint statement, said: “We are following the latest developments in Romania with concern, the independence of Romania's judicial system and its ability to fight corruption. effectively are essential steps for a strong Romania in the European Union ”.