The Romanian Government Just Collapsed Due to Austerity Outrage

Do not put your spoon into the pot which does not boil for you.
~Romanian Proverb

The Prime Minister (Emil Boc) and his cabinet resigned "to defuse political and social tension." President Traian Basescu  appointed Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu (the only Cabinet member unaffiliated with a political party)  as interim prime minister to serve until a new government is approved. The resignations came as the Romanians begin to feel the effects of the austerity cuts.

"Austerity" is the popular European buzzword that means drastic cuts in spending that most severely affect those largely NOT responsible for the economic crises. In Romania, sales taxes jumped from 19% to 24%. Government workers took a 25% pay cut. These types of cuts are unpopular in the countries in which they are taking place.

According to the Dictionary:
Austerity refers to being strict, serious, and inflexible or to being very moral and refraining from carnal pleasures. (noun)

1. A very strict teacher would be an example of a person with austerity.
2. The puritan way of life with few luxuries and a strong moral code is an example of a life of austerity.

Protests in Romania in January:


Some links to articles about the collapse of the Romanian Government:

• Romania's government collapses after protests (AP)
• Emil Boc announces Government steps down to "ease social tension" in Romania (HotNews.ro)
• Romania, IMF Agree on $664 Million Tranche as Economy Slows (Bloomberg) 

Note: I had to search for news about the collapse of the Romanian government. There were no headlines on my usual news searches.