Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva stated that she has no place in the executive branch, following a meeting with President Iliana Yotova regarding the constitutional procedure for appointing a caretaker government. Delcheva, who is one of the possible candidates for caretaker prime minister, emphasized that as an independent body defending the rights of citizens, the ombudsman must remain outside the executive branch.
She justified her position with the fact that in recent months there has been a significant increase in citizens' complaints, which, according to her, shows how important the presence of an independent ombudsman is. Delcheva also cited European and international standards, which require maximum independence of the ombudsman from the other authorities.
Delcheva explained that she had presented her position to President Yotova and that she had not discussed this issue with Deputy Ombudsman Maria Filipova, who is also a possible candidate for caretaker prime minister. A meeting between the president and Maria Filipova is planned.