Romania's parliament has confirmed Emil Boc as prime minister. His cabinet was approved by 276 MPs, with 135 voting against.

The new centre-right Cabinet has promised to push through a number of unpopular measures in order to tackle the financial problems plaguing the former Communist country. Prime Minister Boc said 2010 will be a difficult year for Romania, which has been particularly hard-hit by the global financial meltdown.

The Cabinet's main priority will be pushing through a belt-tightening budget so that the International Monetary Fund will release a 20-billion euro rescue package. The Boc government has also vowed to push through economic and justice reforms although analysts expect it will be a difficult task as his government has a very slim majority.