Romanian government repeals controversial corruption decree after days of mass protest

'Romania in this moment seems broken in two,' says Prime Minister

Decree sparked the biggest protests in Romania since the end of communism in 1989 (EPA)

Romania has repealed a decree decriminalising some corruption offences after days of mass protest.

“The decree was scrapped,” a government official told Reuters, adding that an official statement would be released soon.

Yesterday Romania’s Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said he would hold an emergency meeting to scrap the decree, which sparked the biggest protests in Romania since the end of communism in 1989.

“I don’t want to divide Romania... Romania in this moment seems broken in two,” Mr Grindeanu said.

Tens of thousands took to the streets for the fifth consecutive day yesterday (EPA)

Protesters were angry that the measure waters down the country’s fight against corrupt officials, including the ruling Social Democrats' party leader, and that it was passed in the middle of the night by emergency decree with no input from parliament.

Tens of thousands took to the streets for the fifth consecutive day yesterday.

Protesters were angry that the measure waters down the country's fight against corrupt officials (EPA)

Protesters continued this morning outside government offices in the capital of Bucharest, and some expressed doubt that the government would actually withdraw the measure.

The Constitutional Court was scheduled to rule on the legality of the decree later this week.

Protesters wave a Romanian flag during a demonstration in Bucharest, Romania, 1 February, 2017 (Reuters)

Liviu Dragnea, head of the ruling Social Democrats, is one of those who would have benefited from the new law.

He is banned by law from serving as prime minister because he was handed a two-year prison sentence in April 2016 for vote-rigging.