(ANSA) - TRIESTE - Romania's prime minister Sorin Grindeanu has nominated Tudorel Toader, a former constitutional court judge, as justice minister. Toader is not a member of the ruling Social Democrat party.

The previous minister, Florin Iordache, resigned on Feb. 9 over massive anti-corruption protests sparked by a decree that would have decriminalized some corruption offences. He said all his initiatives were "legal and constitutional" but that he had failed to placate "public opinion". The decree sparked weeks of protests, the biggest since the overthrow of communism in the country. The centre-left Social Democratic government, which only came to power in January, rescinded the decree after five days of protests. Grindeanu placed the blame on Iordache for what he said was poor communication with the public in relation to the decree. (ANSA).