The Saeima today approved Karina Palkova, a professor at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and a lawyer, as Latvia’s new Ombudsman.
Palkova received 71 votes in favour from deputies representing the coalition parties, the United List, and the National Alliance. Fifteen deputies voted against her and two abstained. Deputies from “Latvija pirmajā vietā” and “Stabilitātei” opposed her candidacy.
Palkova was the only candidate nominated for the post.
She is a sworn attorney specialising in medical law and currently serves as Dean of the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences and as a leading researcher. Palkova also works as an external adviser to the Minister of Health on doctors’ and patients’ rights.
Previously, she served as Chair of the Public Council of Jūrmala City Council, which aims to promote the development of the NGO sector and civic participation in the city.
Palkova told the LETA news agency earlier that
the tasks and structure of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman’s Office should be reviewed.
Discussing her priorities as Ombudsman, Palkova said one of her main goals would be to restore the reputation of the Ombudsman’s Office. She suggested that the previous ombudsman may not have fully fulfilled the duties entrusted to the office, which has affected public trust.
She also noted that the current tasks and structure of the Ombudsman’s Office should be reassessed and its work made more effective, with a different focus than at present.
Asked whether she had ties to the political party “New Unity”, Palkova explained that she was formerly affiliated with the political group “Society for Other Politics”, which later merged with “New Era” and “Civic Union” to form “New Unity”. She stressed that she left the party more than ten years ago and has not been active in politics since.
A new ombudsman had to be selected because earlier this year the Saeima dismissed former Ombudsman Juris Jansons, who had decided to resign.
Under the law, the Ombudsman is appointed by the Saeima on the proposal of at least ten deputies, and the term of office is five years.
At the same time, the Saeima is considering legal amendments that would also grant the President of Latvia the right to nominate a candidate for Ombudsman. These amendments have already been approved in the first reading.
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