President Klaus Iohannis promulgated on Friday, May 10, 2024, the law that decriminalizes the offense of tax evasion under one million euros, on the condition that the damage be paid within a maximum of 30 days from the completion of the ANAF (National Agency for Fiscal Administration) control, according to a press release from the Presidential Administration.

The legislative project was initiated by Marcel Ciolacu and Nicolae Ciucă, the leaders of the PSD (Social Democratic Party) and PNL (National Liberal Party), around Christmas in 2023. USR (Save Romania Union) and the Right Wing opposed this law and filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court, a complaint that was later rejected. Even though the president could have sent the law back for reconsideration in Parliament, he promulgated this law criticized on one hand by the political opposition and on the other hand by civil society.

G4Media.ro reported that the president followed the same procedure in 2021 with a similar law initiated by PSD, through which defendants for tax evasion of up to 100,000 euros escaped with only a fine if they fully paid the damage. The legislative project of the leaders of PSD and PNL amends Law 241/2005 for the prevention and combating of tax evasion. Tax evaders whose damage is below the one million euro threshold and are under criminal investigation will escape punishment if they pay the damage plus 25% during the criminal investigation conducted by prosecutors.