Romania's parliament voted through controversial changes to the penal code on Wednesday, a move condemned by President Klaus Iohannis as "dictatorship of the majority".
In a fast-paced process rarely seen in the East-European country, the amendments passed all the parliamentary procedures in less then a week and were passed by a margin of 168 to 97 in the lower chamber plenary.
The left-wing ruling coalition argues that the changes, which partially decriminalise abuse of office, are needed to stop "abuses" from part of the judiciary.
However the centre-right opposition, to which Iohannis belongs, has slammed the move which they say is aimed at overturning a prison sentence given to Liviu Dragnea. The powerful leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party.
"What we've seen these days is called dictatorship of the majority and is profoundly harmful for democracy", Iohannis said in a statement.