Defensor del Pueblo

   The People's Defender is the title given in Spain to the ombudsman charged with defending the rights guaranteed in Title I of the constitution of 1978. The office is not technically part of the judiciary and was given a formal existence only in May 1981. The first ombudsman, Joaquín Ruiz Gimé-nez, served from 1982–7, in line with the statutes governing the post, which determine that the ombudsman serves for five years. The ombudsman is appointed by a majority vote of at least three fifths of each chamber of parliament, and acts both to supervise the activities of the Spanish administration and to investigate citizens" complaints against abuses of their rights. An annual report is made back to parliament. Since the post was created, there has been concern over some overlap in function with the attorney general's office, as well as inadequate budgetary provision and an overwhelming case load. Doubts have surfaced on occasion as to whether a proper distance was being kept between the ombudsman's office and the government; this was particularly true towards the end of the PSOE's long term of office (1982–96) and formed part of a more general concern at a blurring of the lines between government and state. Despite such reservations, however, the office continues to play both a constitutional and a political role.

   PAUL HEYWOOD