Cristian Diaconescu was appointed as new Romanian Foreign Minister

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc appointed a new foreign minister on Tuesday, a day after sacking his predecessor over disparaging remarks about street protesters.

“Prime minister Boc has submitted to President Traian Basescu the proposal to name Cristian Diaconescu as foreign minister,” the government said in statement.

His predecessor Teodor Baconschi was axed Monday after virulently criticising demonstrators who clashed with riot police during protests earlier this month in Bucharest.

Diaconescu, described as a reformist by analysts, will be sworn in later Tuesday, Basescu’s office said.

The 52-year-old previously served as foreign minister in 2009 in a coalition government formed by Boc’s Liberal Democrat Party (PDL) and the Social-Democrat Party (PSD) which is now in opposition.