Romania's incumbent Catalin Predoiu nominated to keep Justice minister seat

Incumbent Justice minister Catalin Predoiu was nominated by the alliance of Social Democratic (PSD) and Democratic Liberal (PD-L) parties for the seat of Justice minister, PD-L leader and PM nominee Emil Boc announced on Friday evening. Predoiu, who’s held the seat of Justice minister since early 2008, is a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL). Earlier today, the head of Transparency International Romania, Victor Alistar, was considered as a sure bet for the Justice Ministry seat as negotiations on the job was continuing between PSD and PD-L.

The two parties have been negotiating on the formation of a coalition government for several days, following the November 30 general elections. All nominations for the future government had been decided except the one for the Justice Ministry before late evening on Friday.

Predoiu’s name has been circulating for three days for the Justice minister.

PNL official Bogdan Olteanu said on Friday that he would consider it a betrayal should Predoiu accept the nomination. „He should leave PNL as he gave a blow to those who’ve been promoting him”, Olteanu said.

Predoiu ran for a seat in the Parliament in the November 30 general elections, for a seat of deputy for a Buzau county constituency. But he was defeated by a rival PSD candidate, Marian Ghiveciu, who’s been under anti-graft inquiry related to shady real estate businesses.

Predoiu was the one to force the replacement this summer of anti-graft prosecutor’s office DNA chief Daniel Morar shortly after the EU gave a half-year report on Romania’s evolution which blasted its performance in the field of judiciary reform and fight against corruption since it joined the EU two years ago.

The new nominated ministers are expected to undergo approval hearings in the Parliament over the next couple of days. The Parliament is then expected to vote on the new government early next week.