Catalin Predoiu, a 40-year-old lawyer, has been appointed Romania's new justice minister. His appointment ends a lengthy struggle between Romanian head of government Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and President Traian Basescu.
The EU is closely following the development of Romania's judicial system, and therefore also the filling of this post. Dan Cristian Turturica comments: "We don't know much about Catalin Predoiu, but on the basis of his biography he seems a better choice than any of the other candidates put up by the Liberal Party so far. ...
The important difference between him and his predecessor Tudor Chiuariu is that the latter was a party activist whereas Predoiu has legal experience. In theory this means he won't have to do everything the party demands of him. ... On the other hand, ministerial posts are political jobs, and for Romania it has become crucial that they are occupied by experts - even if they are technocrats - because nowadays there are hardly any political dignitaries left who have both work experience and morals."