Bucharest, Romania (dailynewyorknews) – Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said on Monday it had rejected the Foreign Minister of the country due to comments about the minister of the government against demonstrators.

Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi called the demonstrators “inept and violent slum dwellers”, and compared with children who took to the streets of Romania in the 1990s and used violence to try to influence political decisions. Boc announcement was made during a special parliamentary session held by the government and opposition leaders on the situation in Romania after 11 days of protests.

Monday, hundreds of demonstrators continued to protest in Bucharest and other cities, but no further violence was reported. More protests are expected in the coming days.

The protesters called on President Traian Basescu to resign and the resignation of the government.

The protesters, carrying banners saying: “What shall we eat, Traian Basescu?” “Down with the government” and “Freedom,” say they live in poverty, are unemployed and struggling to cope with a corrupt system.

People blame the government to impose severe austerity measures after the country received 20 billion International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

Last week, the U.S. asked the Romanians and leaders to prevent violence during the protests against the government.

“What we mean to Romania and Romanians is the same as saying to others around the world and what we have said that Greece and the Greeks of the time, which is that we support the right of people around the world to protest and peacefully express their opinions, but we call on the demonstrators and the authorities to refrain from violence, “said State Department spokesman in the U.S., Victoria Nuland.

Boc announced the dismissal of Foreign Minister, saying: “I apologize for the statements that some of my colleagues recently. I decided to reject the foreign minister, Teodor Baconschi. I also sent a proposal to replace the president, after comments which made the demonstrators. ”

Baconschi, member of Liberal Democratic Party of Romania, was appointed foreign minister in 2009, after the Romanian ambassador to the Vatican and France.

Opposition leaders continued Monday to demand early elections and the resignation of the government during the special parliamentary session. Boc has rejected the proposals of the opposition, saying: “. Our priority now is to maintain the country’s credibility and economic stability”

Heads of Government requested the special session of parliament in which opposition leaders to continue on Tuesday, but opposition leaders have refused.

Victor Ponta leader of the opposition Social Democrats called Basescu to hold a speech to Parliament on the country’s current situation and plans of his government. So far, Basescu has not commented publicly on the protests.

Ponta said: “Our suggestion is to make a political agreement on early elections – an agreement which states that we are willing to give up its parliament, the opposition (the deputies) are willing to ask people to vote, do not give up … Members of the opposition will not be in Parliament in February. ”

Opposition Liberal leader Crin Antonescu announced the members of his party will give its parliament until the elections. He called his partner to do the same opposition.

The protesters were joined Monday by a Romanian army officer, who said he was showing his support for the protesters in the streets.

“I am here to express my disagreement public how these ordinary people have been insulted,” said Lt. Alexandru Gheorghe.

“My brothers, my mother, my father, my grandparents, they are all here. I saw the people the same age and I think we, the officials, who could die tomorrow in a mission in Afghanistan, must have the courage to stand up and tell the truth here in our country. ”

He added: “I’m against President Traian Basescu. Legally speaking, it is my supreme leader.”

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/23/world/europe/romania-minister-fired/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2