site.btaOmbudsman Rejects Idea of Serving as Caretaker Prime Minister

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva argued on Sunday that the public defender and her/his deputy should be removed from the constitutionally established pool of senior public officials eligible to become prime minister in a possible caretaker government. Delcheva holds that the very change of position from ombudsman or deputy ombudsman to caretaker prime minister represents a conflict.

Interviewed by bTV, Delcheva said that the institution of the ombudsman must remain independent from the other branches of government, as stipulated both in the Constitution and in the Ombudsman Act. She also noted that the UN committee which accredits human rights institutions has recommended to Bulgaria that the ombudsman should not form part of the executive branch.

According to Delcheva, if the ombudsman were to accept the role of caretaker prime minister, it could undermine the reputation of the institution itself. “You can imagine how an ombudsman, whose role is to protect citizens’ rights when the government has failed to do its duty, could, for a few months, become the government, and then return to defending citizens against the government’s action or inaction,” she commented.

Delcheva also noted that President Rumen Radev, who is to pick the prime minister for an expected caretaker government this year, has not contacted her for a meeting on the matter. She added that she will attend discussions if invited. “And I will explain once again my position on why the ombudsman should not be an interim prime minister,” Delcheva said. Asked about constitutional changes, she said it is clear to everyone that Article 99 creates problems, as many potential candidates, for one reason or another, do not wish to become caretaker prime minister.

Regarding Bulgaria’s currency change following the country’s accession to the euro area on January 1, the ombudsman expects banks to resolve issues related to exchanging leva for euro. Delcheva also mentioned that citizens have reported to her institution the rising cost of food in school canteens, for which she has sent an inquiry to Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev.