President Janez Drnovsek has proposed to parliament to name psychiatrist Zdenka Cebasek-Travnik as the new human rights ombudsman, in a move that came as a surprise to most political parties.
Cabasek-Travnik is a person with a broad horizon, who has demonstrated extraordinary understanding for fellow humans, Drnovsek wrote in his nomination, according to Tuesday's press release from his office.

She deals with human rights in her projects and apperances she made in public. Moreover, she is sensitive to social issues, a skill that she has demonstrated in treating different kinds of addictions.

According to Drnovsek, Cebasek-Travnik is always prepared to raise her voice for those who are discriminated against, deceived and need help. She has clear views on the relationship between morals and law, right and wrong, and the individual and society.

The 51-year old Cebavsek Travnik serves as the assistant to the head of training programmes at the Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital.

She is also an assistant at the Faculty of Medicine and a professor at the Ljubljana Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Law.

Only two of Slovenia's seven parliamentary parties have already presented their opinion on the candidate. While the ruling coalition Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) voiced its support for the candidate, the opposition National Party (SNS) opposes her nomination.

The ruling Slovenian Democrats (SDS), and the coalition New Slovenia (NSi) are still undecided about Drnovsek's nominee.

The opposition Liberal Democracy (LDS) finds the suggestion interesting, while the coalition People's Party (SLS) has expressed its surprise over the candidate, saying it did not know her.

The opposition Social Democrats (SD) said that some other nominations could have been expected considering the extremely wide selection of candidates.

The ombudsman is elected for a six-year term by a two-thirds majority in parliament following the president's nomination. Incumbent Matjaz Hanzek's term ends on 21 February.

Drnovsek called for nominations for ombudsman candidates in mid-August, with 30 candidates applying for the post before the deadline in late September.

The large majority of the applicants are legal experts, including state prosecutor Vlasta Nussdorfer and judge at the European Court of Human Rights Bostjan M. Zupancic.

Other names include State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs Metka Cotman; the incumbent Deputy Ombudsman Tone Dolcic; former head of the Office for National Minorities Janez Obreza; and the former head of the Office for the Disabled Luj Sprohar.