“I have resigned because I do not wish to cling to power. It’s not important to me that I remain in office for a few more months, until elections in November,” Boc said.
The prime minister said he decided the Cabinet should step down to defuse the mounting social and political tensions in the country and to avoid jeopardizing the country’s economic stability, achieved through harsh austerity measures.
Boc called on the country’s political class to ensure the Parliament endorses a new Government as soon as possible and thanked President Traian Basescu and former and current Cabinet ministers for their collaboration “in serving public interests.”
“I know we have made tough, painful decisions (…) but we are starting to see the effects and the most important one is that the country is economically stable. That is why I believe it was all worth it,” Boc said.
He also told Cabinet ministers they had known from the start they were not there for a popularity contest, but to make fast decisions to keep the country afloat amid the economic and the financial crisis.
“I hope my gesture is a sign for the political class to continue consolidating what we have achieved and not lead to further turmoil,” Boc said.
The outgoing prime minister also thanked citizens for having accepted the harsh austerity measures the Government has imposed in the past two years. Boc reminded the country posted an economic growth of about 2.5% of GDP last years, after two years of economic crisis, and is expected to post a higher GDP growth than the eurozone this year.
Also, inflation dropped to its lowest level of the past 20 years and the country’s currency, public debt and budget deficit have been kept under control, Boc added.
Boc also said Romania runs no risk of not being able to pay public wages or pensions.
“I believe this Government has done its duty and it is time to make room for a new government, one that will consolidate our efforts,” Boc concluded.
Boc was appointed prime minister in 2008, following parliamentary elections, and has survived ten motions of no-confidence since, including one the Parliament adopted. During his term, Romania signed two loan agreements with the International Monetary Fund, European Union and World Bank and has imposed harsh austerity measures, including a 25% cut in public wages.