Romania awaits technocrat premier as Emil Boc quits

TOKYO - Agence France-Presse

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc decided to resign from his post yesterday. AFP photo

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned to ‘defuse political and social tension.’ President Basescu will designate a new premier to form a new government.

Romania’s center-right Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned yesterday after days of street protests against his government, saying he wanted to “defuse political and social tension.” “I have decided to tender the resignation of my government,” Boc told a cabinet meeting that was broadcast live. His government has been the target of protests over drastic austerity measures.

Romanian president Traian Basescu will designate a new prime minister tasked with forming a government to be presented to parliament for approval. Boc, 45, called on lawmakers to vote for a new government rapidly to secure Romania’s stability in a difficult global economic environment.

The president is expected to meet the country’s political parties later yesterday to discuss the EU budgetary pact and the domestic political situation. Analysts say he may choose a technocrat to run the country until general elections scheduled in November. Romania signed up for a $26 billion loan with the IMF, the EU and the World Bank in 2009 to help pay salaries and pensions.