Besides electing their new<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-elections-kick-off-as-dutch-polls-open-220854"> European Parliament </a>members on Sunday, Romanians will be taking part in another vote, a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption.

President Klaus Iohannis called the referendum over the government's controversial justice reforms, which he and other critics say will hand impunity to politicians convicted of graft offences in what is one of the EU's most corruption-prone states.

Why a referendum?&nbsp;

Centre-right President Iohannis has been a consistent and trenchant critic of the justice reforms that the left-wing government has tried to push since coming to power in late 2016.

Brussels has also frequently criticised the measures, with the European Commission recently threatening sanctions could follow if the government doesn't change course.

The reforms are widely seen as designed to help the head of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, who has himself been convicted of corruption offences.

Iohannis has stymied some of the reforms and delayed others from coming into force but says that he lacks the means definitively to prevent what he terms "an attack on the rule of law".

The PSD made a previous attempt to ease anti-corruption legislation in 2017 but had to back down after the plans sparked the biggest demonstrations since the fall of communism.

What will be the questions?&nbsp;

Voters will have two questions on the ballot paper. First,&nbsp;"Do you approve of a ban on any amnesty or pardon for corruption-related offences?"

Secondly,&nbsp;"Do you approve of a ban on emergency decrees to change criminal penalties?"

One of Iohannis' main criticisms of the government has been its attempted use of such emergency decrees to pass controversial measures.

Will it be binding?&nbsp;

Not in and of itself. If there is a "yes" vote on either measure, parliament is supposed to make the proposed law.

But the PSD enjoys a majority in parliament and there is no way of actually forcing MPs to do this.

Moreover, at least 30 per cent of voters -- out of an electorate of 18.3 million -- have to take part in the vote in order for it to be considered valid.

This threshold might not be reached, with several PSD figures calling for a boycott.

The PSD last year called on voters to back a referendum to prevent any future legalisation of gay marriage, but that vote also failed due to insufficient turnout.

Turnout figures should be available on Sunday evening, but the result will only be published on Monday.

What other effects could it have?&nbsp;

According to legal expert Laura Stefan from the think tank Expert Forum, a "yes" vote with a strong turnout would prove that the fight against corruption is still a top priority for Romanians and would strengthen Iohannis's position.

It would also be a slap in the face for the PSD -- which has portrayed the fight against corruption as a "witch-hunt" -- as well as for Dragnea, the party's eminence grise.

But the vote isn't without risks for Iohannis, who is standing for re-election as president in the autumn.

A low turnout could weaken him going into that poll.

Dragnea himself is set to announce after the close of polls on Sunday whether he himself will run against Iohannis in the presidential elections.

A verdict is expected on Monday in Dragnea's appeal against a conviction he received last year over a fake jobs scandal.

A previous conviction for electoral fraud prevented Dragnea from becoming prime minister after the PSD's 2016 election victory but would not stop him becoming president.

Besides electing their new European Parliament members on Sunday, Romanians will be taking part in another vote, a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption.

Besides electing their new European Parliament members on Sunday, Romanians will be taking part in another vote, a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption. President Klaus Iohannis called the referendum over the government's controversial justice reforms, which he and other critics say will hand impunity to politicians convicted of graft offences in what is one of the EU's most corruption-prone states. Why a referendum? Centre-right President Iohannis has been a consistent and trenchant critic of the justice reforms that the left-wing government has tried to push since coming to power in late 2016. Brussels has also frequently criticised the measures, with the European Commission recently threatening sanctions could follow if the government doesn't change course. The reforms are widely seen as designed to help the head of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, who has himself been convicted of corruption offences. Iohannis has stymied some of the reforms and delayed others from coming into force but says that he lacks the means definitively to prevent what he terms "an attack on the rule of law". The PSD made a previous attempt to ease anti-corruption legislation in 2017 but had to back down after the plans sparked the biggest demonstrations since the fall of communism. What will be the questions? Voters will have two questions on the ballot paper. First, "Do you approve of a ban on any amnesty or pardon for corruption-related offences?" Secondly, "Do you approve of a ban on emergency decrees to change criminal penalties?" One of Iohannis' main criticisms of the government has been its attempted use of such emergency decrees to pass controversial measures. Will it be binding? Not in and of itself. If there is a "yes" vote on either measure, parliament is supposed to make the proposed law. But the PSD enjoys a majority in parliament and there is no way of actually forcing MPs to do this. Moreover, at least 30 per cent of voters -- out of an electorate of 18.3 million -- have to take part in the vote in order for it to be considered valid. This threshold might not be reached, with several PSD figures calling for a boycott. The PSD last year called on voters to back a referendum to prevent any future legalisation of gay marriage, but that vote also failed due to insufficient turnout. Turnout figures should be available on Sunday evening, but the result will only be published on Monday. What other effects could it have? According to legal expert Laura Stefan from the think tank Expert Forum, a "yes" vote with a strong turnout would prove that the fight against corruption is still a top priority for Romanians and would strengthen Iohannis's position. It would also be a slap in the face for the PSD -- which has portrayed the fight against corruption as a "witch-hunt" -- as well as for Dragnea, the party's eminence grise. But the vote isn't without risks for Iohannis, who is standing for re-election as president in the autumn. A low turnout could weaken him going into that poll. Dragnea himself is set to announce after the close of polls on Sunday whether he himself will run against Iohannis in the presidential elections. A verdict is expected on Monday in Dragnea's appeal against a conviction he received last year over a fake jobs scandal. A previous conviction for electoral fraud prevented Dragnea from becoming prime minister after the PSD's 2016 election victory but would not stop him becoming president.

Romania's anti-corruption referendum explained

Romania's president called on the prime minister to resign on Friday (April 27) after she endorsed a secret deal to move the country's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, overstepping her powers on foreign policy.

The head of state cannot dismiss the premier but President Klaus Iohannis' call could trigger a no-confidence vote, something Prime Minister Viorica Dancila should easily survive given her party's robust majority in parliament.

Any decision on embassy relocation rests with the president, who said he was not consulted about that or the state visit Dancila paid to Israel this week along with the leader of her Social Democrat party, Liviu Dragnea.

Dancila has said the memorandum she approved was confidential and could not be made public yet.

Iohannis - who has the final say in foreign policy matters - said moving the embassy to Jerusalem, which is not widely recognised as Israel's capital due to competing sovereignty claims by the Palestinians, has said the move could break international law.

Dancila has yet to comment on his call for her to resign.

Romania would be the first EU country and one of very few countries in the world to relocate its embassy following U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December.

The Romanian foreign ministry had said the memorandum was only the start of a wide consultation process and that it sought to identify the best way for Romania to position itself.

It added Romania's position regarding the Israeli-Palestinian situation "has traditionally been a balanced one, including ... bilaterally recognising the Palestinian state."

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "at least half a dozen" countries were considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The U.S. Embassy is due to relocate on May 14.

The head of state cannot dismiss the premier but President Klaus Iohannis' call could trigger a no-confidence vote, something Prime Minister Viorica Dancila should easily survive given her party's robust majority in parliament

Romania's president called on the prime minister to resign on Friday (April 27) after she endorsed a secret deal to move the country's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, overstepping her powers on foreign policy. The head of state cannot dismiss the premier but President Klaus Iohannis' call could trigger a no-confidence vote, something Prime Minister Viorica Dancila should easily survive given her party's robust majority in parliament. Any decision on embassy relocation rests with the president, who said he was not consulted about that or the state visit Dancila paid to Israel this week along with the leader of her Social Democrat party, Liviu Dragnea. Dancila has said the memorandum she approved was confidential and could not be made public yet. Iohannis - who has the final say in foreign policy matters - said moving the embassy to Jerusalem, which is not widely recognised as Israel's capital due to competing sovereignty claims by the Palestinians, has said the move could break international law. Dancila has yet to comment on his call for her to resign. Romania would be the first EU country and one of very few countries in the world to relocate its embassy following U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December. The Romanian foreign ministry had said the memorandum was only the start of a wide consultation process and that it sought to identify the best way for Romania to position itself. It added Romania's position regarding the Israeli-Palestinian situation "has traditionally been a balanced one, including ... bilaterally recognising the Palestinian state." Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "at least half a dozen" countries were considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The U.S. Embassy is due to relocate on May 14.

Romania's president calls on PM to quit over Israel embassy move

The leader of Romania's ruling Social Democrats said the government had approved a memorandum to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, one of the first countries to do so following the United States.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump in December recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, infuriating Washington’s Arab allies and dismaying Palestinians who want the eastern part of the city as their capital.

Under Romanian legislation, a final embassy relocation decision belongs to centrist President Klaus Iohannis, who said he had not been consulted. The Romanian government and foreign ministry did not immediately confirm the information.

"Yesterday, the government adopted a memorandum deciding to start the procedure to effectively move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Social Democrat leader and lower house speaker Liviu Dragnea told private television station Antena3 late on Thursday.

Dragnea keeps a tight grip on his party and is seen as effectively in charge of the cabinet.

Romanian President Iohannis said in a statement on Friday that he had not been informed or consulted about the decision and urged all government and political actors to show "responsibility and discernment regarding major foreign policy decisions that have strategic effects including on national security."

"Such a decision must be taken only after consulting and securing the approval of all foreign policy and national security institutions, with a final decision belonging to the President, according to the constitution."

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "at least half a dozen" countries were considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The US&nbspEmbassy is due to relocate on May 14.

"Our gesture has a huge symbolic value ... for Israel, a state with an unbelievably large influence in the world and with which we have had a special relationship for many years," Social Democrat leader Dragnea said.

"Moving the embassy to Jerusalem can and I believe will bring short, medium and long-term benefits for Romania and we must use this huge chance and opportunity."

The leader of Romania's ruling Social Democrats said the government had approved a memorandum to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, one of the first countries to do so following the United States

The leader of Romania's ruling Social Democrats said the government had approved a memorandum to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, one of the first countries to do so following the United States. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump in December recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, infuriating Washington’s Arab allies and dismaying Palestinians who want the eastern part of the city as their capital. Under Romanian legislation, a final embassy relocation decision belongs to centrist President Klaus Iohannis, who said he had not been consulted. The Romanian government and foreign ministry did not immediately confirm the information. "Yesterday, the government adopted a memorandum deciding to start the procedure to effectively move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Social Democrat leader and lower house speaker Liviu Dragnea told private television station Antena3 late on Thursday. Dragnea keeps a tight grip on his party and is seen as effectively in charge of the cabinet. Romanian President Iohannis said in a statement on Friday that he had not been informed or consulted about the decision and urged all government and political actors to show "responsibility and discernment regarding major foreign policy decisions that have strategic effects including on national security." "Such a decision must be taken only after consulting and securing the approval of all foreign policy and national security institutions, with a final decision belonging to the President, according to the constitution." On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "at least half a dozen" countries were considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The US&nbspEmbassy is due to relocate on May 14. "Our gesture has a huge symbolic value ... for Israel, a state with an unbelievably large influence in the world and with which we have had a special relationship for many years," Social Democrat leader Dragnea said. "Moving the embassy to Jerusalem can and I believe will bring short, medium and long-term benefits for Romania and we must use this huge chance and opportunity."

Romanian ruling party chief says plans to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis rejected on Monday a request by the justice minister to sack the head of the country's anti-corruption agency, the latest twist in a row over graft that has spurred large-scale street protests over the past two years.

The anti-corruption prosecution agency, the DNA, has earned the praise of the European Commission for its efforts under Laura Codruta Kovesi to tackle high-level sleaze in Romania.

But Justice Minister Tudorel Toader has accused Kovesi of exceeding her authority and damaging Romania's image abroad. He launched a legal bid in February to have her sacked, in a move that sparked renewed street protests by anti-graft campaigners.

"(The minister's) arguments for a revocation did not convince me," Iohannis, a centrist often at odds with the leftist-led government, told reporters after his advisers had examined Toader`s request.&nbsp

"Most of the reasons do not even meet the legal provisions," said Iohannis, who has often praised the DNA's work.&nbsp

Romania`s judicial watchdog has also spoken out against dismissing Kovesi.

Responding to the president`s announcement, Toader said on his Facebook page that the government would appeal to the Constitutional Court. He did not say when it would act.

DNA sent roughly 1,000 people to trial last year, Kovesi has said, including three ministers, six lawmakers and two deputy ministers. A third of the defendants were accused of committing fraud with European Union funds.

At the same time, DNA prosecutors won 713 convictions, including for four lawmakers, 28 mayors and 30 managers of state institutions and companies. Some trials were years old.

Investigations have shown some public works contracts are overpriced and some payments are made for fictitious works.&nbsp

Transparency International ranks Romania among the EU`s most corrupt states and Brussels keeps its justice system under special monitoring.

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis rejected on Monday a request by the justice minister to sack the head of the country's anti-corruption agency, the latest twist in a row over graft that has spurred large-scale street protests over the past two years

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis rejected on Monday a request by the justice minister to sack the head of the country's anti-corruption agency, the latest twist in a row over graft that has spurred large-scale street protests over the past two years. The anti-corruption prosecution agency, the DNA, has earned the praise of the European Commission for its efforts under Laura Codruta Kovesi to tackle high-level sleaze in Romania. But Justice Minister Tudorel Toader has accused Kovesi of exceeding her authority and damaging Romania's image abroad. He launched a legal bid in February to have her sacked, in a move that sparked renewed street protests by anti-graft campaigners. "(The minister's) arguments for a revocation did not convince me," Iohannis, a centrist often at odds with the leftist-led government, told reporters after his advisers had examined Toader`s request. "Most of the reasons do not even meet the legal provisions," said Iohannis, who has often praised the DNA's work. Romania`s judicial watchdog has also spoken out against dismissing Kovesi. Responding to the president`s announcement, Toader said on his Facebook page that the government would appeal to the Constitutional Court. He did not say when it would act. DNA sent roughly 1,000 people to trial last year, Kovesi has said, including three ministers, six lawmakers and two deputy ministers. A third of the defendants were accused of committing fraud with European Union funds. At the same time, DNA prosecutors won 713 convictions, including for four lawmakers, 28 mayors and 30 managers of state institutions and companies. Some trials were years old. Investigations have shown some public works contracts are overpriced and some payments are made for fictitious works. Transparency International ranks Romania among the EU`s most corrupt states and Brussels keeps its justice system under special monitoring.

Romanian president rejects government call to sack top anti-graft prosecutor

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Romania's anti-corruption referendum explained

Romania's president calls on PM to quit over Israel embassy move

Romanian ruling party chief says plans to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem

Romanian president rejects government call to sack top anti-graft prosecutor