Teresa Anjinho, a human rights lawyer and former Deputy Ombudsman of Portugal, has been elected as the European Union’s new Ombudsman after securing the support of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
She will succeed Emily O’Reilly, an Irishwoman who held the role for over a decade, overseeing investigations into maladministration within EU bodies such as the European Commission.
During her hearing before MEPs on December 3, Anjinho pledged to ensure that the EU administration upholds the highest standards of transparency, ethics, and citizens’ rights. She emphasized that fairness, integrity, and trust are essential principles for strengthening the relationship between institutions and their citizens.
In the second and final round of voting, Anjinho secured an absolute majority with 344 votes, avoiding the need for a third round against the runner-up, Dutch Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen.
Photo: European Union 2024 – EP/ Alain ROLLAND