Romanian Constitutional Court

The Romanian Constitutional Court on Monday declared controversial criminal code reforms passed by government decree unconstitutional, saying the changes did not respect previous rulings issued by the court.

The amendments backed by the Social Democratic Party-led government included reducing jail terms and the statute of limitations for some corruption-related crimes.

Justice Minister Tudorel Toader presented on Wednesday his correspondence with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that shows Drago Kos is not the head of the OSCE anti-corruption body, and the latter's statements would have not been made on behalf of the organisation.

Advocate General Melchior Wathelet on Thursday asked the European Court of Justice to issue a decision telling Romania to recognise same-sex marriages made abroad.

The court is set to rule on whether Romania should allow same rights to gay couples based on European Union freedom of movement legislation.

Ahead of a decision by the Romanian Constitutional Court on November 29 on whether gay marriages are constitutional, calls to ban gay marriage by redefining the constitutional definition of the family have gained traction in the general election campaign.