6 February 2012 Last updated at 12:52 GMT Romania PM Emil Boc resigns after austerity protests 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 cheap beats by dre he had given up the government's mandate as "it is the moment for important political decisions". Although Romania's economy grew last year, the government has been hit by three weeks of demonstrations. Mr Boc has imposed a 25% cut in public sector wages and a freeze on pensions. Sales tax was also increased to 24%, in a country seen as Europe's second poorest. Romania said it needed to implement the measures to qualify for the next instalment of a 20bn-euro (25bn; £17bn) bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 'Technocrat government' In a statement, Mr Boc, 45, said that in a time of crisis, his centrist government had not taken part in a popularity contest but had acted to save the country. "I know that I made difficult decisions, but the fruits have begun to appear," he said. Elections in Romania are scheduled to take place in November, but the BBC's Central Europe correspondent Nick Thorpe says they're likely to be brought forward to the summer. President Basescu appointed Boc's Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu as caretaker prime minister. Protests broke out last month, initially against the resignation of popular junior health minister Raed Arafat, but soon became cheap beats by dr dre an expression of discontent against austerity and corruption. 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. Mr Ponta has said he favours continuing the current, 26bn standby credit agreement with the IMF, but would like to gradually adjust it. (Required) Name (Required) Your E-mail address (Required) Town & Country (Required) Your telephone number (Required) Comments If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist please leave a telephone number that we can contact you on. In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions. Terms and conditions Send Clear