Moldovan Constitution to regulate ombudsman’s activity

Chisinau, 17 February /MOLDPRES/-The cabinet today approved a draft law supplementing the Moldovan Constitution and providing for the constitutional regulation of the ombudsman's activity. The draft is to be endorsed by the Constitutional Court and examined by the parliament.

According to the recommendations of Venice Commission, “the existence of the ombudsman institution and its basic activities should be guaranteed by the Constitution, in order to ensure its independence”.

The Justice Ministry states that it promotes the draft law amending the Constitution “in order to adjust the national legislation to international standards and ensure the independence and increased importance of the ombudsman institution”.

The amendments to the fundamental law empower the parliament to appoint the ombudsman for a seven-year term, with a majority of votes in a transparent public selection process. The ombudsman may be dismissed with the vote of two thirds of the Moldovan MPs, after hearing him in advance.

The ombudsman shall be apolitical and cannot belong to any political party, as such interference into his activity leads to legal liability.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor A. Raileanu)