The mandatory-election commission convened on Tuesday to deliberate the candidacy of Barbara Zupančič for the role of Advocate for the Principle of Equality. The session also provided a platform for a broader discussion concerning the function and necessity of self-employment within the office of the Advocate. During the meeting, several Members of Parliament voiced concerns regarding the institution’s operational efficiency.
Specifically, critics questioned the scope of its staffing levels and alleged instances of functional overlap with the Ombudsman for Human Rights. In response to this criticism, the current advocate, Miha Lobnik, addressed the allegations the following day during a press conference. Lobnik firmly rejected the claims made against the office.
He expressed surprise at the nature of the debate, noting that in the preceding nine years, the institution had typically received favorable feedback from MPs when presenting its reports to the national assembly. Addressing the parliamentary critique directly, Lobnik stated, “The arguments of various MPs about the inefficiency of our work have surprised me very much.” The proceedings highlighted ongoing legislative debate surrounding the scope and mandate of the advocate. The discussion centered on maintaining the independence of the advocate while addressing concerns about resource allocation and defining the precise boundaries of the protection afforded to the fundamental principle of equality.
Topics: #advocate #lobnik #principle
