President Martinelli is flouting the law for a second time in the appointment of a head of ANAM, Panama’s environmental authority says a leading environmental group.

Anam is facing a potential legal challenge over the naming of Lucía Chandeck, as administrator. Chandeck has a legal degree but a law introduced in 1998 specifies that the Anam administrator must have a degree related to environmental science and five years of experience.

Donaldo Sousa, president of the Asociación de Derecho Ambiental y Asociación Ecologista Panameña. said that the group is considering challenging the appointment because Chandeck does not meet the l legal requirements.

Sousa said that President Ricardo Martinelli is violating the law for a second time. Former Anam administrator Javier Arias, who was also appointed by Martinelli, did not have the proper academic background for the position.

A government spokesperson said that Chandeck complies with the requirements and her documentation is being considered by the Credentials Commission of the National Assembly.

Earlier she had been touted as a favorite to fill the position of Attorney General, which usually has a longer lifespan than head of Anam.