The government of Moldova, a former Soviet state between Romania and Ukraine, has collapsed after 63 of 101 lawmakers backed a 'no confidence' vote in the ruling coalition. 

The coalition, between the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity and the Russia-backed Socialist Party, had ruled under Prime Minister Maia Sandu since July, but a row over nominating a new state prosecutor led to the collapse. 

The roots of the crisis date back to the theft of $1 billion from the nation's financial system in 2014, but a wider rift between those supportive of the European Union and those who prefer the Russian model is also key to understanding the government's collapse. 

Sandu told her supporters she would not give up, and defined the fight as "between those who want to control justice and the prosecutor, and those who want freedom and fair justice." 

Sandu previously worked for the World Bank, and is seen as a strong anti-corruption reformer by the EU. Johannes Hahn, EU commissioner, said he was "deeply worried" by the developments. 

Just two weeks ago, the European Commission approved a $25 million package to support reforms and anti-corruption measures by the Sandu government. Hahn added: "Any change to [Sandu's] resolute action to reform the country over the last five months would have severe consequences on EU support." 

Moldova's president, Igor Dodon, was leader of the Socialist Party before taking his position alongside Sandu in government and advocates closer ties to Russia. He blamed Sandu for the fall of the coalition, and said the Socialists should nominate a new prime minister who could control a minority government.