MPs fail to elect new Czech ombudsman
The lower house of Parliament failed on Friday to elect the new Czech ombudsman, a successor to the late Otakar Motejl who passed away in May. None of the four candidates including the strong favourite, former dissident Anna Šabatová, received sufficient support in two rounds of voting.
Despite the fact that three parties – TOP 09, the Social Democrats and Communists – proclaimed support for the former dissident and erstwhile deputy ombudsman Anna Šabatová, the strong favourite did not receive enough votes in a secret ballot.
According to Czech law, candidates for ombudsman are nominated by the Senate and the president.
President Klaus nominated human rights activist John Bok and former Civic Democrat MP Eva Dundáčková; the upper house of Parliament picked Anna Šabatová and the head of the Czech Supreme Court, Iva Brožová.
One of the likely coalition parties – Public Affairs – did not take part in the vote; their MPs said one of the nominees, Iva Brožová, was not an acceptable candidate due to a conflict of interest stemming from her present position as the chief justice of the Czech Supreme Court.
Following Friday’s inconclusive vote, the process of electing a new ombudsman will now go back to square one. The Senate and the president will have to nominate candidates once again and the lower house is bound to vote on the new ombudsman within sixty days.
