Romania PM Emil Boc resigns after austerity protests

[dipsydoodle]

Romania's Prime Minister Emil Boc has stepped down to "defuse political and social tension" after a series of protests against austerity measures.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, he said he had given up the government's mandate as "it is the moment for important political decisions".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16905151

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. This part is most interesting:

"The left-wing opposition USL alliance, headed by Victor Ponta, is currently leading the opinion polls. Mr Ponta suggested last week that Romania should either have early elections similar to Spain, or temporarily install a technocrat administration, like Italy."

the rise of the technocrats....*shiver*

[maddezmom]

2. Romania's government collapses after protests

Romania's government collapses after protests
By ALISON MUTLER, Associated Press – 46 minutes ago
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's government collapsed Monday following weeks of protests against austerity measures, the latest debt-stricken government in Europe to fall in the face of raising public anger over biting cuts.

Emil Boc, who has been a prime minister since 2008, said he was resigning "to ease the social situation" after thousands of Romanians took to the streets in January to protest salary cuts, higher taxes and also a widespread perception that the government was not interested in the problems of ordinary people in this nation of 22 million.

Opposition parties called for early parliamentary elections, which are currently scheduled for November.

President Traian Basescu appointed Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu — the only minister in Boc's Cabinet who is not a member of any political party — to be interim prime minister pending the formation of a new government. If the Parliament does not approve a new executive in 60 days it will be dissolved and new elections will be called. The ruling coalition and its partners from minorities, however, have enough votes to elect a new government.

more:http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gg2hx_WbyhucOTwG5Q3mrJJvIeRw?docId=6e8be0ddb1c840d6a563ab25ebbbb552