Romania leader asks lawmakers to govern in national interest

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romania’s president has urged lawmakers to “listen to the voice of Romanians” and govern in the national interest as the country celebrates its centenary.

Klaus Iohannis spoke to lawmakers as Parliament met Wednesday to mark 100 years since modern-day Romania was created in the aftermath of World War I. Iohannis told them to “rise up to the dignity of the centenary! Don’t dishonour it.”

Iohannis was referring to anti-corruption protests that erupted in 2017 after the ruling Social Democrats initiated a judicial overhaul that critics, including the European Union, say will weaken efforts to fight high-level graft. Iohannis supports the anti-corruption fight.

Romania entered the war siding with the Allies in 1916 but capitulated to the Central powers. It re-entered WWI in 1918, and doubled its territory after its conclusion.