Ljubljana, 25 September (STA) - Tone Dolcic, a deputy of incumbent Human Rights Ombudsman Matjaz Hanzek, has filed his candidacy for the post of ombudsman, Hanzek's office announced on Monday. As Hanzek's deputy, Dolcic is in charge of children's rights and social affairs.

President Janez Drnovsek called for nominations for ombudsman candidates on 11 August and the 45-day deadline runs out today. The candidacies were already announced by higher state prosecutor Vlasta Nussdorfer and former Vecer journalist Sladzan Umjenovic.

The ombudsman is elected for a six-year term in a two-thirds majority in parliament following the president's nomination. The current ombudsman, whose term runs out on 21 February 2007, has already said several times that he would not stand for re-election.

The institution of ombudsman was introduced to Slovenia in the 1991 Constitution after the country declared independence. The first ombudsman, Ivan Bizjak, was elected in September 1994. He was succeeded by Hanzek in February 2001.

An ombudsman has broad powers vis-a-vis state and other organs which carry out public mandates. Such a model has been implemented by most countries in Western Europe.