European Ombudsman
The European Ombudsman (also European Ombudsman ), the Ombudsman of the European Union, with headquarters in Strasbourg and investigates complaints about maladministration in the activities of its institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. Its activity is based 8d Article and Article 138e of the Treaty establishing the European Community (Article 20d of the ECSC Treaty, Article 107d Euratom) and the decision of the European Parliament ( "the Statute of the European Ombudsman " ) of 9 March 1994 on the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the duties of the Ombudsman.
History
The institution of Ombudsman has its roots in Sweden. There, the constitution was reformed in 1809. The new Constitution gave Parliament the power to appoint an Ombudsman or Ombudsman, who was independent of the king and the other administration, about which one could complain.
Finland became independent in 1919 and also established the Office of the Ombudsman. 1953 was followed by Denmark, New Zealand and Norway in 1962. In 1995, when the European community, the Ombudsman chose, there were already 75 of his colleagues, including 27 in Europe worldwide.
The European Parliament in 1979, called shortly after the first direct elections that a European Ombudsman is appointed. Also in the report of the Committee on a People's Europe of 1985, the proposal was included. But only in 1990, when the then Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González in a letter to his colleagues in the European Council, raised the idea of European citizenship, the debate gained momentum. The Treaty of Maastricht, the institution of Ombudsman was established and on July 12, 1995 the European Parliament voted the first incumbent, the Finns Jacob Söderman.
The role and responsibilities
Under Article 228 TFEU, the European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the activities of the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union, such as complaints about
- The European Commission and its departments,
- The Council of the European Union,
- The European Parliament,
- The European Court of Auditors,
- The European Court of Justice,
- The Economic and Social Committee,
- The Committee of the Regions,
- The European Central Bank,
- The European Investment Bank and
- The agencies of the European Union.
Not responsible he is for complaints against national, regional or local administrations of the Member States and the judicial activity of the Court of Justice.
Empowered complaint are citizens of the Union and natural or legal persons whose place of residence or registered office in a Member State. Unlike the petition to the European Parliament pursuant to Article 227 TFEU itself, the complainant need not be personally affected by the conduct complained, so it's also a Popular appeal possible. Is not permitted to appeal if the alleged conduct is the subject of legal proceedings or already was.
Discomfort
A complaint may be written in one of the official EU languages , since July 1, 2013 ie in 24 languages. There is a form on the Internet, but also informal letters are possible. The letter must clearly state which grievance is denounced and against whom the complaint is directed. Especially at the beginning of his activity were a large number of complaints with him, for which he was not responsible. The proportion of these complaints decreases.
Facts and Figures
In the first full calendar year 537 complaints were received, 86 of which fall within the competence of the Ombudsman - just 16 %. 2003, there were already 2436 complaints, of which 75% were within the mandate of the Ombudsman. The information in the population has thus been greatly improved and the Office of the Ombudsman has become much better known.
Most of the complaints in 2003 almost 67%, are directed against the European Commission. 10.7% are directed against the Parliament.
The most frequently denounced failure is a lack of transparency - through lack of information or refusal of information. 28 % of all complaints have this subject.
Most of the complaints come from Germany (18%), followed by Spain ( 12%).