BUCHAREST, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Romania's President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday launched the procedure on a national referendum on anti-corruption and integrity issues.
The president sent a letter to the two heads of the Parliament chambers in this regard, according to a statement of the Presidential Administration.
The people are called to express their will regarding continuing the fight against corruption and the assurance of the integrity of public office in the referendum, the president said in his letter.
Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Mihai Grindeanu was also informed of the president's request, announced the Presidential Administration.
Iohannis said on Monday the Romanian people had a right to express their views on the government's plan to grant collective pardon and amend the criminal code.
The president also took part in a massive protest held last Sunday in Bucharest against the government's proposals.
The ruling Social Democratic Party said the president's move is politically motivated and an attempt to win back popular support after the opposition lost the elections.
Justice Minister Florin Iordache explained that the changes proposed are needed in order to alleviate the current state of overcrowding in prisons and to bring legislation in line with some of the decisions of the Constitutional Court.
