Romania's PM Designate Starts Talks to Form Government

Romania's prime minister designate Mihai Razvan Ungureanu on Tuesday started talks on forming a new government.

Ungureanu arrived shortly after 07:00 GMT at the government offices where the ruling coalition parties will discuss the new team.

Several key ministers should keep their jobs, according to political sources quoted by Mediafax news agency. They include Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu, European Affairs Minister Leonard Orban and Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu.

However, some changes are expected at the ministries of finance, economy and internal affairs, according to sources quoted by Mediafax.

Ungureanu, the head of the intelligence services since 2007, was designated prime minister on Monday by President Train Basescu after Emil Boc resigned following wide protests over austerity cuts.

He has 10 days to form his new team and win parliament's approval.

His government will be made up of members of the ruling coalition parties: the Liberal Democrats (PDL), the Hungarian minority (UDMR) and the National Union for the progress of Romania (UNPR).