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Europe

Romania justice minister quits over anti-graft law protests

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Romanian Justice Minister Florin Iordache announces his resignation during a media briefing in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017. Romania's justice minister resigned following mass protests over law that would soften corruption fight. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

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    A woman holds a placard reading "Iohannis (president) pow down the government" during a protest near the presidential palace in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017. The political battle unfolding in Romania over whether to tolerate some abuse of power by public officials has exposed sentiments found elsewhere in Europe and in the United States, including suspicion of foreigners and resentment of distant bureaucrats. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) (The Associated Press)

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    Stelian Tanase, a political scientist, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at his home in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017. The political battle unfolding in Romania over whether to tolerate some abuse of power by public officials has exposed sentiments found elsewhere in Europe and in the United States, including suspicion of foreigners and resentment of distant bureaucrats. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) (The Associated Press)

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romania's justice minister has resigned following mass protests over a law that would soften the corruption fight in the country.

Florin Iordache defended his tenure Thursday, saying all his initiatives were "legal and constitutional," but had failed to placate "public opinion."

Romania's government withdrew the contentious decree, crafted by Iordache, to legalize some forms of official misconduct this week after hundreds of thousands protested in cities around Romania.

Protesters said that the measure would dilute the anti-corruption fight.

The government survived a vote of no confidence Wednesday in parliament, where it has a solid majority.