(CNN) Demonstrations are expected to continue in Romania today despite a temporary government retreat over a bill that would have protected many politicians from being prosecuted for corruption.

On Sunday -- when an estimated half a million protesters took to the streets -- a government statement was issued repealing the decree, which had been approved Tuesday without input from the country's parliament.

This did little to stem anger as Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu still appears determined to push through the amendments to the criminal codes. He has asked the country's justice minister, Florin Iordache, to prepare a draft law which is similar to the controversial decree. The proposed legislation will be sent to parliament for approval following public consultation.

In a statement reported by the Romanian national news agency, Agerpres , Monday, Iordache said: "We will develop and post a regulatory act. Before we move further, all experts and whoever wants to, will have the opportunity to express a point of view."

'Government should resign'

Businessman Cosmin Alexandru, 47, has participated in the protests over the past six days, which have been the largest demonstrations Romania has seen for decades.

He told CNN Monday: "The ordinance has been withdrawn but has now been introduced almost unchanged into the parliamentary process. They did not withdraw it because they considered it wrong but because of the pressure."

"The only reasonable outcome for me is the government resigning and either put a better government in place or call an election," he added.

He expects, however, that the draft law will eventually be passed.

The original decree, which would have taken effect in about a week, decriminalized corruption that causes damage worth less than about 200,000 Romanian lei, or $48,000.

This could have benefited politicians such as Liviu Dragnea, president of the Social Democrat Party, which recently took power. Dragnea is under investigation over abuse of power allegations and had also previously received a two-year suspended sentence for an elections offense.

The new draft law, while similar to the controversial decree, does eliminate the section that decriminalized damage worth less than 200,000 lei.

Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law On Sunday, February 5, Romanians turned out for a sixth straight day to demonstrate against a new law passed last week that would decriminalize corruption. Amid the protests Sunday night, the decree was officially repealed in a government statement following an emergency meeting of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu's Cabinet. Hide Caption 1 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Protesters demonstrate in Bucharest on February 5. The new law, which passed on January 31, would have decriminalized corruption that caused damage worth less than about $48,000 (200,000 lei). Liviu Dragnea, president of the ruling Social Democrat Party, and other high-ranking politicians stood to benefit from the new law. Dragnea is under investigation over abuse of power allegations. Hide Caption 2 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Protesters gather in front of a government building on Saturday, February 4. In a nationally televised address Saturday evening, Prime Minister Grindeanu told Romanians, "Romania cannot be torn apart." Hide Caption 3 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law A woman displays a Romanian flag during a protest in Bucharest on Friday, February 3. Hide Caption 4 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Romanians demonstrate in Bucharest on Thursday, February 2, after the government weakened penalties for corruption. Thursday marked the third night of anti-government protests in the Romanian capital. Hide Caption 5 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law A young girl offers a flower to a police officer during an anti-government protest February 2 in Bucharest. Hide Caption 6 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Protesters crowded in front of government headquarters in Bucharest on February 1, demonstrating against the passage of a law that would decriminalize corruption. Hide Caption 7 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Riot police try to disperse demonstrators with tear gas February 1 in Bucharest. If it had gone into effect, the new law would have stopped ongoing investigations for corruption offenses and would prevent the launching of any subsequent probes. Hide Caption 8 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Protesters dismantle an advertising display February 1 in front of government headquarters in Bucharest. Hide Caption 9 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Riot police and protesters clash February 1 in Bucharest. Hide Caption 10 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Police detain demonstrators February 1 in Bucharest. Hide Caption 11 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Anti-riot police remove a protester February 1 in front of government headquarters in Bucharest. Hide Caption 12 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law People wave flags in opposition to the government's decree February 1 in Bucharest. The embassies of Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States issued a joint statement expressing concern over the Romanian government's actions. The European Commission president also voiced worry. Hide Caption 13 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law A protester kneels near a police line on February 1 in Bucharest. Hide Caption 14 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law Police and demonstrators face off February 1 in Bucharest. Some people threw flares and other objects at security forces. Hide Caption 15 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law An officer uses pepper spray on demonstrators trying to gain access to a government building in Bucharest on Tuesday, January 31. Hide Caption 16 of 17 Photos: Romanians protest new corruption law People throw snow at police protecting government headquarters on January 31 in Bucharest. Protesters also took to the streets in other cities across Romania. Hide Caption 17 of 17

Meanwhile a separate item of legislation, which is currently being considered by the Romanian parliament, would -- if approved -- free some officials imprisoned for corruption, halt all investigations for pending corruption offenses and prevent further cases related to these offenses from being brought to justice.

Half a million protesters

Local television stations reported that protests across Romania attracted 500,000 to 600,000 people -- with at least half of them gathering in Victory Square, Bucharest. However, the Romanian interior ministry declined to provide any official figures when contacted by CNN.

There were smaller protests by Romanians in other capital cities around Europe including London on Sunday, where 500 people gathered outside the Romanian Cultural Institute.

Protesters shine their mobile phone lights as they protest in front of government buildings Sunday

Demonstrators Răzvan and Diana Ungureanu, a young couple with two children, were among those who gathered in Bucharest.

Diana told CNN: "We won't give up. We don't trust them (the government) anymore so they have to leave."

Her husband added: "It feels like we can't go home anymore because you're afraid they're going to do something else overnight and we don't want such surprises."

Adriana Cristea, a young mother of a nine-month-old baby, said: "I left my newborn home with my husband and I came here to protest. I will do that again and again as much as needed."

"I don't want lies and this is why I am here. We want honest people in all public institutions. No more corruption, at all," she added.

More demonstrations likely

Another demonstration is expected in Bucharest Monday evening amid calls for the resignation of the ruling coalition government led by Grindeanu.

Protester Daniel Iordan, a father of two, told CNN Sunday: "This government has to leave. We don't believe anything they say any more."

The opposition has already submitted a censure motion in parliament in order to remove the government from office. This is slated for debate on Wednesday but is not expected to succeed, as the coalition -- made up of the center-left Social Democratic Party and a smaller party -- holds a majority in the Parliament.

Grindeanu told lawmakers Monday that he will not resign.