Cristian Pantazi

Romanians have welcomed news that Moldovan President Nicolae Timofit has asked Ion Sturza, a wealthy pro-Western businessman who also has Romanian citizenship, to form a new government.

"This is a good news as Sturza has a clear a pro-European outlook. The problem is that he has to form a new political majority in Moldova, which is not easy,"  journalist Cristian Pantazi said.

Romania's budget for 2016, which parliament is due to approve this week, has cut to zero the government's contribution to the construction of new churches.

In particular, this will affect work on the Cathedral of the Redeemer, which is expected to be the tallest church in Southeast Europe.

A mixture of experts, diplomats and civil society activists are to take seats Romania's proposed new cabinet, whose will run the country until the next elections are held in December 2016, prime minister designate Dacian Ciolos announced on Sunday.