President Traian Basescu has nominated Mihai Razvan Ungureanu to replace Prime Minister Emil Boc. Mr. Ungureanu serves the country as Intelligence Service Chief and was called to take up the PM’s post, as Mr. Boc resigned from his services amid austerity protests.

The President’s nomination of Mr. Ungureanu in place of Mr. Boc has to now be approved by the parliament, for Mr. Ungureanu to take his position.

In a statement, the President mentioned, “The ruling coalition agreed to appoint Mihai Razvan Ungureanu as Prime Minister designate.” Mr. Boc was also reported saying that he was quitting in order to “defuse political and social tension” in the three weeks of protests. Mr. Boc also highlighted his concern by saying that “he had given up the Government’s mandate as it is the moment for important political decisions.”

Last year under Mr. Boc as the PM, Romania’s economy flourished yet their was unrest as the government witnessed demonstrations since Mr. Boc had intervened in wage policies and imposed a 25% cut in public sector wages. He also discouraged pensions and put a block on them.

Mr. Boc pointed out that his decision was aimed at the welfare of the society and that he knew that the decision was a difficult one, but has already begun to reap benefits. In a statement, he said “at a time of crisis, his centrist government had not taken part in a popularity contest but had acted to save the country.”

On the nomination, Mr. Ungureanu says, “Reforms will continue. The added value that I will bring resides in my experience as a manager.”