The Ombudsman told the LETA news agency that if 38 members of parliament had indeed signed a letter calling for his dismissal and the issue was included on the agenda of the next parliamentary session, he saw no possibility of continuing in his role. In addition, the Ombudsman’s Office has also expressed its lack of confidence in him.

“I have come to this decision. [..] Waiting until Thursday would be pointless. I will submit my letter of resignation by Monday and resign from my position on Monday, because the Ombudsman can also announce such a decision on his own and it does not even have to be decided on,” Jansons told the LETA news agency.

A letter signed by 38 MPs has been sent to the Presidium of the Saeima, calling for Jansons to be dismissed from office. The letter was signed by MPs from all 14 factions represented in the 14th Saeima.

The MPs stated: “To ensure the performance of the functions prescribed by law, the Ombudsman is expected to adhere to particularly high standards of conduct with regard to the representation of this institution, including the Ombudsman’s statements in the public sphere. We have found that Juris Jansons, through his actions, regularly undermines the authority and prestige of the Ombudsman’s institution, thereby jeopardising not only its current but also its future effectiveness.”

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