Matjaz Hanzek, a sociologist, expert on Slovenia's social issues and a distinguished human rights activist from the 80s, was appointed Slovenia's new ombudsman for a six-year term. His candidacy, which was submitted to parliament yesterday by President Milan Kucan, was approved in a 73:3 vote on Wednesday.

Hanzek's appointment comes seven months after the National Assembly failed to re-appoint his predecessor Ivan Bizjak, Slovenia's first ombudsman. Another attempt to appoint a new ombudsman failed last December, when Darja Lavtizar Bebler could not secure the required support.

Hanzek is currently employed with the Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (IMAD), a government agency where he is editor of Slovenia's Human Development Report, a document the country is drawing up for the United Nations' Development Programme.

The institution of the ombudsman has recently come under fire several times for being inefficient, particularly in regards to mounting problems with illegal immigrants in Slovenia. The institution has also been criticised for its red-tape procedures, and calls have been made in the media that the ombudsman should be a non-partisan candidate, preferably a human rights activist.