Ombudsman's Office has been entrusted with crucial role in strengthening democracy and rule of law - Rinkevics

RIGA - The Ombudsman's Office has been entrusted with a crucial role in strengthening democracy and the rule of law, President Edgars Rinkevics said during a meeting with Ombudsperson Karina Palkova at Riga Castle on Thursday.

Rinkevics congratulated Palkova on her confirmation as Latvia's ombudsperson, underlining the important role of the Ombudsman's Office in protection of human rights.

The president said that Saeima had granted the ombudsperson considerable powers in order to achieve objectives set out in the Law on the Ombudsman's Office and to exercise state power in Latvia in a lawful and efficient way.

Rinkevics is confident that during Palkova's term of office, the mandate of the Ombudsman's Office will be exercised in a politically neutral manner to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in Latvia.

The president and the ombudsperson discussed the Ombudsman Office's performance so far in 2025, as well as priorities for 2026.

As reported, Saeima appointed Riga Stradins University professor, lawyer Karina Palkova Latvia's ombudsperson. Palkova was supported with 71 votes from the coalition parties, the United List and the National Alliance, while 15 lawmakers from Latvia First and Stability voted against her, and two lawmakers abstained.

LETA also reported, a new candidate has to be nominated because the Saeima earlier this year dismissed Latvia's long-standing Ombudsman Juris Jansons, who had decided to resign.