News apartments in Bucharest are just as expensive as last year even though the market is on the verge of a freeze, one newspaper reads on Monday. Elsewhere in the news, another newspaper reveals how business, politics and Romanian masonry work hand in hand. On a lighter tone, the economic crisis brings about some advantages: for the first time, clients will enjoy sales in December.

Romania libera reads that the price of new apartments in Bucharest did not decrease even though the market faces a freeze at the moment. The newspaper reads that banks hardly offer credits and many potential clients are ready to wait longer and think twice before purchasing a new apartment.

The newspaper informs that the current economic crisis did not have a say on the prices real estate agents request for new apartments, on the contrary. Several sales agents declared that there are apartments with prices up by a few percents in the last couple of months.

Moreover, they seem to believe that there are no real reasons for the price decrease. At the moment, the cheapest new apartment one can buy is with 100,000 euro in the outskirts of the city with a modest living space and standard finishing.

Elsewhere in the news, Evenimentul Zilei reveals those politicians who are part of the secret masonry in Romania. The newspaper informs that politics and businesses intertwine with membership in the masonry.

Thus, the paper puts forward several key personalities from both the business environment but also from the governmental structures or defense structures. Most of them have conducted several business contracts with the state and have important political and economic influence.

The head of Romania's National Lodge Eugen Ovidiu Chirovici declared that the membership of several political candidates to the masonry is irrelevant. He declared that those running for a seat in the Parliament this year should be voted depending on their political program, their personal competency and knowledge.

Thus, the newspaper identifies several politicians from various political parties. The first highlighted is Liberal candidate Caius Irinel Iliescu who refused to either confirm or deny his masonry membership. Another mason, Simota is an important businessman in Hunedoara, West Romania and declared that the Romanian masons are not a secret per se, but are discrete.

Democrat Liberal Silviu Prigoana, renowned businessman in Bucharest runs for a seat in the Parliament and admits he's been a mason for some years but now, according to his declarations, he is no longer a member.

All other presumed members of various masons lodges in Romania declared that they did not want to give more details about it, when prompted by journalists.

Last but not least, Gandul informs that the economic crisis brings about an important advantage for consumers: sales start up earlier than usual, in December. Both in Europe and the US, sales mushroom across big brands. For example, in Britain, big brands like Debenhams or Marks&Spencers announced sales as high as 70%.

In Romania, Debenhams Bucharest puts forward only 30% off. Thus, the economic crisis not only modifies prices in retail shops, but is also distorts the consumption habit. French citizens spend less on good quality food products in favor of cheaper products, the French publication L'Express reads.