Cases
It is a right of an EU citizen, in the EU treaties, to be able to take a case to the ombudsman. (Article 20:2d TFEU) Each year the ombudsman receives about 3,000 to 4,000 complaints. 60–70% of these are related to the European Commission, 12% to Parliament and 10% to the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO): from dissatisfied applicants to the European Civil Service. The European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) accounts for 9%.
These cases include a late payment from the Commission to a German science journalist. The Commission explained why, paid interest and accelerated future payments to experts. Following a complaint form a Hungarian, EPSO agreed to clarify information in recruitment competition notices concerning eligibility and pre-selection tests. Finally, the Ombudsman forced the Council to release documents to the public it previously denied existed.
However the ombudsman has a relatively low profile, particularly in the United Kingdom which was responsible for the smallest amount of cases lodged despite its eurosceptic reputation.
Read more about this topic: European Ombudsman
Famous quotes containing the word cases:
“In cases of defense ‘tis best to weigh
The enemy more mighty than he seems.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)