Romania to take over EU presidency amid fears for rule of law

Bucharest accused of seeking to reverse democratic reforms as it takes charge of rotating presidency

Romania’s government has been accused of seeking to turn the clock back on years of democratic reforms as it prepares to take charge of the European Union’s rotating presidency for the first time on 1 January.

The European commission warned the government in November that it was backtracking on progress made since joining the EU in 2007, while the European parliament passed a resolution voicing “deep concerns” at legislation that has the potential to weaken the rule of law. MEPs also condemned “the violent and disproportionate intervention by police” in Bucharest in August, when police used water cannons and teargas to disperse anti-corruption protesters.

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from World news | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2GJXUmB