AKIPRESS.COM - Thousands of Romanians marched through Bucharest in protest against corruption on Tuesday on the third anniversary of a deadly nightclub fire they blame on graft and lack of accountability, Reuters reports.

The fire at club Colectiv killed 65 people, triggering massive street protests and ultimately leading to the collapse of a Social Democrat government. But the party returned to power at the start of 2017 after sweeping a parliamentary election.

Since then, they have tried to weaken anti-corruption legislation and replace chief prosecutors, triggering protests and sparking worries about the rule of law with the European Commission and among diplomats.

Prosecutors have secured a slew of convictions in recent years against lawmakers, ministers and mayors, including Social Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea. Their investigations have exposed conflicts of interest, abuse of power, fraud and awarding of state contracts in exchange for bribes.

An estimated 2,500 people carrying flowers and candles marched toward the site of Colectiv club on Tuesday, saying the country remains ill-equipped to prevent or handle another tragedy. Hundreds lit candles in several other cities.