Rudolph Angler Six candidates presented their cases on Tuesday to become the next EU Ombudsman. They aim to investigate malpractice within Brussels’ bureaucracy and succeed Emily O’Reilly, who has held the position for over a decade. Hopefuls from Austria, Portugal, Estonia, Italy, and the Netherlands outlined their visions during hearings with the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee.
The hearings, ahead of secret ballots in mid-December, revealed few concrete policy commitments. Candidates emphasized continuity, as O’Reilly remains popular in the European Parliament. “This is the fan group of Emily O’Reilly,” quipped Jana Toom, an Estonian MEP.
Portugal’s Teresa Anjinho proposed reforms to the EU’s outdated freedom of information laws. Italy’s Marino Fardelli suggested creating a universal cybersecurity right and a smartphone app for tracking ombudsman cases. The Netherlands’ Reinier van Zutphen highlighted the ombudsman’s role in addressing citizen concerns over European rules.
Despite attempts by MEPs to provoke candidates into discussing contentious cases, such as vaccine contract negotiations, most steered clear of specifics. Candidates stressed their focus on managing complaints rather than legislative proposals.
Diverse Backgrounds and Political Undertones
Three candidates—van Zutphen, Anjinho, and Fardelli—brought national ombudsman experience. Others showcased different credentials. Estonia’s Julia Laffranque, a supreme court judge and former EU anti-fraud office worker, praised O’Reilly’s leadership despite previously criticizing her. Austria’s Claudia Mahler, a UN advisor, argued her outsider status brought fresh perspectives.
Politics loomed despite the ombudsman’s neutral mandate. Candidates courted MEPs from seven political groups in private meetings. While some openly declared their political leanings, others claimed cross-party support. Anjinho, formerly with Portugal’s center-right CDS-PP party, defended her independence against questions about her political affiliations.
Language was another point of interest. Most candidates spoke English, blending euro-jargon with legal references. Italy’s Fardelli stood out by delivering his pitch in Italian, earning mixed reactions. Candidates emphasized their ability to bridge the gap between EU institutions and citizens, though their fluency seemed better suited to the former.
The ombudsman’s role, as many candidates noted, involves building trust between ordinary Europeans and distant EU institutions. Their ability to connect with citizens remains a vital test of their suitability.