THE changing of personnel among Bulgaria's deputy justice ministers appears to be set to be a continuing process, amid infighting within the ministry over the handling of the crucial issues of reform of the judiciary and the handling of international adoptions.
Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg this week appointed Daniela Atanassova as a Deputy Minister of Justice. Atanassova, who until now was a Sofia Appellate Court judge, replaced Mario Dimitrov who resigned on September 20, citing personal reasons.
In an interview with the Bulgarian-language media, Dimit-rov said that he was stressed out and tired of his job as Deputy Justice Minister. He said he was planning to go back to his previous position as a judge in Lovech.
Dimitrov said he had discussed his resignation with Justice Minister Anton Stankov and would keep on co-operating with the ministry as an adviser.
According to reports in the Bulgarian-language media, however, Dimitrov had very strained relations with Stankov and has been forced to resign. According to the same reports, some foreign diplomats in Sofia had complained to Saxe-Coburg about irregularities in adoptions abroad.
As Deputy Minister, Dimitrov was in charge of the Adoptions Directorate.
With the 2003 amendments to the Family Code, Parliament introduced a new system of accreditation of adoption agencies, in order to minimise corruption.
Dimitrov is the second deputy justice minister to leave his position after, several weeks ago, Stankov sacked Sevdalin Bozhikov because of inadequate progress in reform of the judiciary.
In an interview with daily newspaper Trud, Stankov said that he was finding out from the media about Bozhikov's opinions and work, and said that Dimitrov had resigned because of lack of transparency in the Adoptions Directorate.
Stankov attacked his third deputy, Miglena Tacheva, saying that she had not been a part of the team in the ministry.
According to Stankov, Tacheva was to leave her position soon as well.
Tachev, in an interview with Bulgarian National Radio, responded: "There has been no team in the Justice Ministry for a long time".
She said that Stankov had banned all his deputies and members of the ministry's political office from talking to the media.
According to her, there were problems in the ministry that could put to the test Bulgaria's prospects of joining the European Union.
Continuing lack of progress in reforming the judiciary has been a frequent source of criticism of Bulgaria from foreign quarters, as well as a basis of criticism within domestic politics.
The issue is widely expected to be cited as a significant problem when, next month, the European Commission releases its report on Bulgaria's readiness to join the EU, an event scheduled for 2007.
Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg this week appointed Daniela Atanassova as a Deputy Minister of Justice. Atanassova, who until now was a Sofia Appellate Court judge, replaced Mario Dimitrov who resigned on September 20, citing personal reasons.
In an interview with the Bulgarian-language media, Dimit-rov said that he was stressed out and tired of his job as Deputy Justice Minister. He said he was planning to go back to his previous position as a judge in Lovech.
Dimitrov said he had discussed his resignation with Justice Minister Anton Stankov and would keep on co-operating with the ministry as an adviser.
According to reports in the Bulgarian-language media, however, Dimitrov had very strained relations with Stankov and has been forced to resign. According to the same reports, some foreign diplomats in Sofia had complained to Saxe-Coburg about irregularities in adoptions abroad.
As Deputy Minister, Dimitrov was in charge of the Adoptions Directorate.
With the 2003 amendments to the Family Code, Parliament introduced a new system of accreditation of adoption agencies, in order to minimise corruption.
Dimitrov is the second deputy justice minister to leave his position after, several weeks ago, Stankov sacked Sevdalin Bozhikov because of inadequate progress in reform of the judiciary.
In an interview with daily newspaper Trud, Stankov said that he was finding out from the media about Bozhikov's opinions and work, and said that Dimitrov had resigned because of lack of transparency in the Adoptions Directorate.
Stankov attacked his third deputy, Miglena Tacheva, saying that she had not been a part of the team in the ministry.
According to Stankov, Tacheva was to leave her position soon as well.
Tachev, in an interview with Bulgarian National Radio, responded: "There has been no team in the Justice Ministry for a long time".
She said that Stankov had banned all his deputies and members of the ministry's political office from talking to the media.
According to her, there were problems in the ministry that could put to the test Bulgaria's prospects of joining the European Union.
Continuing lack of progress in reforming the judiciary has been a frequent source of criticism of Bulgaria from foreign quarters, as well as a basis of criticism within domestic politics.
The issue is widely expected to be cited as a significant problem when, next month, the European Commission releases its report on Bulgaria's readiness to join the EU, an event scheduled for 2007.
