Citizens unaware of EU Ombudsman's role 

Despite growing interest in the EU Ombudsman's role in dealing with complaints of maladministration by EU institutions, there is still widespread confusion among citizens about what his job actually is about. 

One quarter of enquiries filed by EU citizens, companies, NGOs and associations, concerned lack of transparency in the EU administration, indicated Ombudsman P.Nikiforos Diamandouros as he presented his 2005 Annual Report  on Monday (24 April).

But of the 3,920 complaints filed, Diamandouros said only a fraction actually fell under his remit, leaving 69% of cases in need for transfer to competent authorities at local or national level.

"Many citizens do not know that I can only investigate alleged maladministration by EU institutions and bodies, and not complaints against national or regional authorities in the member states, even if they involve Community law," said Diamandouros. "Two thirds of the complaints are therefore still outside my mandate."

Among the treated complaints the most frequent allegations focused on the European Commission (68%) and included "refusal of information, unfairness, abuse of power, discrimination, procedural errors or avoidable delays". Compared with previous years, Damandouros said maladministration in recruitment procedures have now become "an important issue".