The Congress of Deputies today hosted the ombudsman assumption of Ángel Gabilondo
The new Ombudsman has assured that “for this great challenge” he will work “with dignity and equanimity, with thoroughness, efficiency and independence”. Thus, he pointed out that “the defense of human rights” will be his “absolute priority”.
He has also shown his firm commitment to ensure the rights of those who are “in a distressing situation, are victims of inequality, injustice and violence or are at risk of exclusion”.
Among those present at the inauguration ceremony were, among others, the President of the Congress of Deputies, Meritxell Batet, the President of the Senate, Ander Gil, several government ministers, representatives of the Joint Commission for relations with the Ombudsman, deputies and regional ombudsmen.
Born in San Sebastian and father of two children, Ángel Gabilondo has an extensive professional career. He is Professor of Metaphysics at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), where he was rector from 2002 to 2009. He also presided the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) between 2007 and 2009.
He was Minister of Education between April 2009 and December 2011 and has been a member of the Assembly of Madrid for two legislatures as well.
The Organic Law regulating the Ombudsman establishes that the head of the Ombudsman will be elected by the Cortes Generales for a period of five years. The Joint Commission approved the proposal back on October 27, which was subsequently endorsed by the Plenary Sessions of the Congress of Deputies (November 11) and the Senate (November 16).
