Romania's constitutional court upholds anti-corruption law

A man holds a poster that reads "Without Corruption" during a protest in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Over one thousand people have gathered outside the government offices shortly after a parliamentary legal committee approved a draft that would grant an amnesty to people convicted of bribery and influence peddling, months after massive anti-graft protests.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

A Romanian riot policeman speaks to a colleague while preventing protesters from advancing on the government headquarters during a protest in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Over one thousand people have gathered outside the government offices shortly after a parliamentary legal committee approved a draft that would grant an amnesty to people convicted of bribery and influence peddling, months after massive anti-graft protests.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

Romanian riot police stop protesters from advancing on the government headquarters during a protest in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Over one thousand people have gathered outside the government offices shortly after a parliamentary legal committee approved a draft that would grant an amnesty to people convicted of bribery and influence peddling, months after massive anti-graft protests.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

Romania's constitutional court has upheld a law preventing people with convictions from serving as ministers, a victory for the country's anti-corruption fight.

Thursday's ruling deals a blow to the powerful chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea, who cannot be prime minister due to a conviction last year for vote rigging.

Dragnea has called the law unfair and many Social Democrats want him to be prime minister.

The court had postponed making a ruling four times.

The law, introduced in 2001 as Romania prepared for membership of NATO and the European Union, bars people with convictions from serving as ministers.

In January, Romania's ombudsman asked the court to declare it unconstitutional.