The Romanian justice minister announces his resignation

The 31-year-old Romanian Justice Minister, Tudor Chiuariu, has announced his resignation after just eight months in office. He is suspected of having privatised a piece of land belonging to the national post service with the intention of selling it off for a dumping price. Ioana Lupea comments: "The mission for which he was appointed, namely the destruction of the legacy left by his predecessor Monica Macovei, has been partially accomplished. ... In January the European Commission will react to his work with a negative report on the rule of law in Romania, and if the situation doesn't improve a protective clause could enter force next summer. There have been several Cabinet reshuffles as a result of the permanent political struggle between President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu. The next justice minister will be the third under Tariceanu's government. He must restore the trust of justice officials and the Romanians in the independence of the judiciary as well as that of the EU in Romania."

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