site.btaUPDATED Maria Filipova's Candidacy for Deputy Ombudsman Submitted to Parliament

Maria Filipova collected the most points (15) after a hearing for the post of Deputy Ombudsman, the institution’s website said. On Monday, her candidacy was submitted to the National Assembly by Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva.

Marina Kisyova de Geus was ranked second with 13 points, and Denitsa Dimitrova received 12 points.

“Through the institution of the Ombudsman, we will eliminate all irregularities that currently violate people’s rights,” Filipova said during her hearing before the evaluation commission for candidates. Filipova is the current chairwoman of the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC).

She motivated the decision to accept the nomination with the experience she has gained in various institutions. “Institutions must be close to the people, they must be heard, understood,” she said.

Filipova also called for the creation of a national telephone line to the executive branch, which citizens could call in case of violation of their rights.

The Deputy Ombudsman is in the pool of officials among which the President can pick a caretaker prime minister, along with the the National Assembly Chair, the Governor or Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, the Chairor Deputy Chair of the National Audit Office, and the Ombudsman.

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva submitted Filipova's candidacy for Deputy Ombudsman to the National Assembly on Monday, the institution said on its website.

In the message to Rositsa Kirova, head of the Committee on Direct Participation of Citizens, Citizens' Complaints and Interaction with Civil Society, Delcheva indicated that Filipova has many years of professional experience in the field of human rights as a practicing lawyer, junior and senior expert in the Ministry of Justice, Deputy Chair of the Financial Supervision Commission and Chair of the Consumer Protection Commission.

Delcheva added that, as evident from the proposal of the Bulgarian National Active Consumers Association, Filipova possesses the necessary personal and professional qualities, intransigence and steadfastness in upholding consumer rights, which will allow her to effectively fulfill the position of deputy ombudsman.