[JURIST] The Romanian Parliament [official website] agreed on Monday to hold a referendum regarding anti-corruption measures after public protests. There have been nearly two weeks of consecutive anti-government protests [Guardian report] in opposition of the government’s efforts to lessen anti-corruption law and punishment. President Klaus Iohanni [BBC profile] proposed the referendum, and 310 lawmakers voted in favor. The exact questions that will be presented on the referendum are yet unknown, and it is unclear if the promised referendum will quell the protests. Parliament also must confirm the repeal of the initial emergency decree, which is expected later this week.

The controversial decree was passed [JURIST report] earlier this month, sparking immediate demonstrations. The decree was originally drafted on January 18. The following day, the government published a plan to reduce prison overcrowding [JURIST report] that involved pardons for thousands of prisoners, which was met with protests around the country. The government insisted that a referendum [JURIST report] on the prison reform draft was needed despite protests. The decree was later repealed [JURIST report], but protests continue in many parts of Romania.