Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc has fired Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi over disparaging remarks that he made last week about protesters who took part in recent anti-government rallies.

"I have taken the decision to recall Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi and have forwarded a proposal to the Romanian president to remove him from his functions for the comments he made," Boc told lawmakers in Bucharest on Monday.

"I sincerely regret the gaffes made by some of my colleagues regarding the demonstrators," Boc added. "I apologize to all Romanians, and I have decided to sack Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi for his remarks."

Bloc was referring to a statement Baconschi made on his blog last week in which he described some of the protesters as "clueless and inept slum dwellers." He also compared the demonstrations to the riots in London in 2011.

Harsh austerity measures

There has been a series of anti-government demonstrations in the Romanian capital over the past 10 days. The protesters have been calling on President Traian Basecu and his government to resign over a package of austerity measures, which includes a cut of 25 percent to civil servants' salaries and a tax increase.

The government says the measures are needed to keep an International Monetary Fund aid deal on track.

Most of the rallies have been peaceful, but there has been sporadic violence. One demonstration that did turn violent last weekend saw more than 50 people injured clashes between police and protesters.

Author: Chuck Penfold (Reuters, AP, AFP)
Editor: Nancy Isenson