BUCHAREST: Romania’s embattled Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced the resignation of his government on Wednesday following huge protests in the wake of a nightclub fire that killed more

than 30 people.

Romania’s premier since 2012, Ponta had faced weeks of intense pressure to quit after going on trial in September facing charges of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.

“I am stepping down as prime minister,” he said. “I hope the government’s resignation will satisfy the people who came out in the streets.”

More than 20,000 people have rallied in Bucharest to demand he step down.

The 43-year-old announced his resignation on television, saying it was right that top officials took responsibility for Friday’s tragedy at the Colectiv disco in Bucharest, which left 32 dead and nearly 200 injured.

The Social Democrat added: “I have to acknowledge the legitimate anger of the people.”

President Klaus Iohannis will name a prime minister to form a new government, which needs to be approved by Parliament. If this fails twice, early elections will be called. Romania is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in December 2016.

The mayor of the district in the Romanian capital where the nightclub is located, Cristian Popescu Piedone, also resigned Wednesday, saying he is morally guilty for the deadliest fire in Romania’s history.

Piedone said: “I assume the moral blame. As for the legal (blame) I will leave it to justice to pronounce.”