Romania's government has collapsed 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 had been prime minister since 2008, said
yesterday he was resigning “to defuse political and social tension” and to make way
for a new government.
President Traian Basescu quickly appointed Justice Minister
Catalin Predoiu, the only Cabinet member unaffiliated with a political party, as interim
prime minister to serve until a new government is approved.
Basescu also nominated
Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, the head of Romania's foreign intelligence service, as the
country's new prime minister and asked him to form a Cabinet. Parliament must approve
Ungureanu and his ministers in 60 days, or the legislature will be dissolved and new
elections held.