Romanian government resigns following protests | EurActiv

Romanian government resigns following protests | EurActiv

The Romanian government of Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned today (6 February), following more than 20 days of protests over austerity measures and the economic downturn in the EU newcomer.
Emil Boc said he took the decision in order "to defuse the social tension" and to protect the economic stability of the country, according to Romanian media. Boc, who is the leader of the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) of President Traian Basescu, has been prime minister since 2008.

"We took difficult decisions thinking about the future of Romania […] I appeal on the maturity of the political class to pass quickly a new cabinet trough Parliament," he said. Although according to polls PDL has the support of only 18% of the population, this party has majority in Parliament.

However, the opposition made it clear that passing a cabinet trough Parliament was not an option.

Crin Antonescu, leader of the opposition National Liberal Party (PNL), called for early elections, as well as for the resignation of President Basescu.

"Boc's resignation means that the united opposition USL was right when it initiated various non-confidence votes […] There are two more steps that need to be taken: the resignation of President Basescu and early elections," Antonescu said. Basescu's term as President expires in 2014.

The Social-Liberal Union (USL) is an alliance between three opposition parties, the Social Democratic Party of Victor Ponta, and the centre-right alliance made up of the National Liberal Party of Crin Antonescu and the Conservative Party of Daniel Constantin.

According to polls, USL has the support of over 50% of the Romanians. USL leaders have agreed that in the case of early elections, Romania's next Prime Minister would be Victor Ponta, while Crin Antonescu would be the coalition's candidate.

Recently, the three USL leaders addressed a hearing, organized by the Socialists and Democrats and the liberal ALDE groups in the European Parliament and stated that democracy in Romania had been "suspended" under PDL rule.

The Social Democratic leader Victor Ponta pointed out the real problem for the country was in fact President Basescu.

"It should not be forgotten that the Boc government hasn't taken many decisions, really. Decisions were taken by President Basescu," he stated.

In the meantime, Basescu appointed Justice Minister Cătălin Predoiu, 44, as interim Prime Minister until a new cabinet is passed in Parliament. Predoiu has no political affiliation.

Recently Predoiu told the Brussels press that his country had made unprecedented efforts to reform its law enforcement system, suggesting that Bucharest wanted to see the EU monitoring mechanism put in place five years ago removed by the summer. The next progress report on Romania under the so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), is expected to be published by the Commission anytime now.