Romanian PM Quits over Massive Protests

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned on Monday. File photo by BGNES

Romania's Prime Minister Emil Boc has resigned after weeks of protests in the Balkan country against the government's austerity measures.

On Monday, Boc gave up the government's mandate, explaining that "it is the moment for important political decisions," BBC has informed. He explained that he wanted to to "defuse political and social tension" after the series of protests in the EU newcomer.

Although Romania's economy grew last year, the government has been hit by three weeks of demonstrations.

Boc has imposed a 25% cut in public sector wages and a freeze on pensions.

Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, head of the Romanian Foreign Intelligence Service, is tipped to replace Emil Boc as PM, Adevarul has reported.

Romania had to turn to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Union in 2009 for EUR 20 B.

The Romanian government took steps to rein in the budget deficit, which was 7.3% of the GDP in 2009. The deficit was cut to 6.9% in 2010 and an estimated 4.2% in 2011, and the economy began to grow again.

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