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A new very painful slap for Pirc Musar, but she has only herself to blame for it

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Našata Pirc Musar (Photo: Matic Štojs Lomovšek)

By: C. R. 

The candidate for the new Human Rights Ombudswoman, Dijana Možina Zupanc, failed to secure sufficient support for appointment to the position in the National Assembly, receiving 53 votes in favour and 6 against. She was supported by coalition MPs, the MPs representing national minorities, and independent MP Dejan Kaloh. To be elected, the candidate needed the support of at least 60 MPs.

Five MPs from NSi and SDS MP Andrej Kosi voted against. Four MPs from SDS, NSi, and the group of unaffiliated MPs abstained. Most of the opposition MPs were present in the chamber during the vote but did not register their presence.

The current Deputy Ombudswoman for Human Rights was nominated for the position of Ombudswoman by President Nataša Pirc Musar after more than six rounds of consultations with parliamentary groups, representatives of national communities, and unaffiliated MPs.

The candidate did not have the required two-thirds parliamentary support secured before the vote. To those who had not raised any concrete professional or other justified objections regarding the candidate’s suitability, the President issued a “respectful appeal to reconsider before the vote and support her, taking all facts into account.”

Jan Kovačič, Secretary-General in the Office of the President of the Republic, said in today’s explanation of the nomination that Možina Zupanc has demonstrated in her work so far that she takes her mission seriously, responsibly, and with respect for all people, their rights, and the institution she serves.

When proposing Možina Zupanc, who had previously received two-thirds support for the position of Deputy Ombudswoman in this parliamentary term, Pirc Musar also expressed her belief that the candidate meets the highest standards. A Doctor of Law, she works in the fields of social welfare, healthcare, the environment, housing policy, and other social and labour-related matters.

SD MP Bojana Muršič, whose party supported the candidate, said during the presentation of the party group’s position that Možina Zupanc is a suitable and worthy successor to the position of Ombudswoman for Human Rights, as she demonstrates expertise, experience, and dedication to the protection of human rights, and is well-acquainted with the workings of the institution. However, the SD expected greater assertiveness and public advocacy from her, especially in light of current social challenges.

The candidate was also supported by MPs from Levica. The head of the parliamentary group, Matej Tašner Vatovec, stated that the candidate is more than appropriate for the position. He also argued that the requirement for a two-thirds majority is irrational because human rights are not a field for political battles. He believes that past ombudspersons did not view human rights violations through the lens of political ideology, but through the lens of human rights.

The Svoboda party assessed that since her appointment as Deputy Ombudswoman, Možina Zupanc has gained a thorough understanding of the institution’s operations, current challenges, and pressing issues, said MP Aleksander Prosen Kralj during his party’s position statement. He added that they would support the candidate because her vision aligns with Svoboda’s vision, a respectful society of dialogue, a social state, equal rights, and opportunities for all.

The SDS, NSi, and unaffiliated Democrat MPs did not present their positions in Parliament today.

However, SDS leader Janez Janša reminded earlier in the day that his party had not supported the candidate even when she was nominated for Deputy. “If we believed she was not suitable for the deputy position, then she probably will not get our votes for the main post either,” he said at a press conference.

The Svoboda party reacted sharply to the voting result. They pointed fingers at their former MP Mojca Šetinc Pašek and former Levica MP Miha Kordiš, who were absent during the vote. The head of the Svoboda parliamentary group, Nataša Avšič Bogovič, said that these individuals appear to be great defenders of human rights when it suits them politically, but did not vote today and did not stand up for human rights. The same was done by the Democrat MPs, and with this, according to her, “they once again showed how little they care about human rights and whose satellite they are.”

Regarding whether it is still possible to gain the required two-thirds majority for any candidate during this term, she said that she believed it was possible until today, “but from this moment on, I honestly do not believe it anymore.

The previous Human Rights Ombudsman, Peter Svetina, saw his mandate expire on February 23rd, 2025, and since then, the institution has been led by the Deputy Ombudsperson.

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