Saeima approves opposition Ombudsman candidate

RIGA - The opposition's candidate for Ombudsman, lawyer Juris Jansons, has been officially elected to the post after the Green party voted against its coalition partners to support the candidate in a closed parliamentary ballot.

Solvita Aboltina, Chairman of the Saeima and Co-Chairman of ruling Unity bloc, said the coalition's split on the vote would not lead to wider problems within the coalition. "This coalition is optimal for working together and decision-making. We believe that the coalition is still able to work."

Jansons - who had been nominated by the left of center opposition party Harmony Center - received a total of 53 votes in favor. The other candidate for the post, Anita Kovalevska, won 39 votes.

"The institution to which I have been elected with the majority support of the parliament a priori provides for maximum openness and maximum political independence at the same time," Jansons told journalists after the vote.

"My duty as the chief ombudsman is to defend the interests of the Latvian nation, protect each resident irrespective of their nationality, political views or social status. It will be the main principle in my work," he said.

The Latvian Ombudsman is tasked with investigation human rights complaints lodged by residents and citizens of the country. The mandate of former Ombudsman Roman Apsitis expired on Feb. 28.