BackOath Speech of new European Ombudsman, Ms Teresa Anjinho:
Monsieur le Président de la Cour de Justice, Mesdames et
Messieurs les Membres des Cours de Justice et de la Cour des Comptes Européenne,
Mesdames et Messieurs les Ambassadeurs, chers invités,
Standing before you today as the newly elected European Ombudsman, I am deeply honoured to take this oath – an oath of service, independence, integrity, transparency and unwavering commitment to the people of our Union.
I am conscious of my primary mission and cardinal duty: to stand for the rights of the citizens of our cherished Europe. These rights are enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter, but they are more than proclamations. They are the core of European integration and the identity of the European Union.
This is a solemn moment. One that signals not only the profound responsibility of the role I am about to assume, but also the importance of the office I have been entrusted to lead.
I am privileged to address you today in this Court of Justice, which is a cornerstone of our European Union Law. And I am profoundly grateful to the European Parliament for the confidence placed in me, in my vision and in my project for the European Ombudsman. The democratic mandate I have been given is not only the main source of my legitimacy, but the permanent alert of the high responsibility of this office.
This occasion is also a moment that invites reflection - on the path that brought me here, as well as on the choices that shaped our Union, strengthened our institutions, and given meaning to the very idea of European citizenship.
There are two milestones that I find especially fitting to highlight – one of them, forgive me, for its personal significance.
Forty years ago, Portugal joined the European Union.
Thirty years ago, the European Ombudsman was created.
At first glance, these two events may seem unrelated. But, to me, they are profoundly connected.
When Portugal joined the then European Communities, re-joining its natural and historical family, it did so with a clear and powerful dream: a dream of democracy, of freedom, of a shared prosperity that would open new doors for its citizens. For the Portuguese people – my generation included -, it was the beginning of a renewed belonging: what we proudly call today Europeans.
A decade later, the establishment of the European Ombudsman, following the Maastricht Treaty, sought to bring that same dream a lived reality. The first elected European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, set out with a clear purpose: to ensure that European citizenship was not just an abstract concept written into the Treaty, but a living one – one that guaranteed citizen’s rights, upheld transparency and accountability in European institutions, and gave governance a human face.
It is because of the decisions made 40 and 30 years ago, that I stand before you today as a Portuguese and European citizen, and as the newly elected European Ombudsman.
Being European gave me opportunity. Shaped my path. It allowed me to serve. And now, it gives me the chance to give back— rooted in my personal, academic, political and professional journey- to ensure that every citizen in the European Union, regardless of background, status, or origin, is heard, respected, and treated with fairness.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
The role of the Ombudsman has never been more vital.
We face a troubling deficit of trust. Many citizens feel unheard, disconnected, decoupled from the very institutions meant to represent them. Increasingly, the EU’s institutional framework is perceived not as enabler of their aspirations, but as an obstacle. Too often, people fear that the system is not serving as it should.
Governance struggles to keep pace with the rapid changes of our world. And there are no simple answers. Institutions must – indeed – become more empathetic, accessible and responsive, but they must do so without losing sight of their core principles and purpose, which made them solid in the first place.
It is my strong belief that, more often than not, trust in governance erodes not because people reject rules, but because they do not understand them – or worse, feel left behind by them.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
These are times of great uncertainty, that remind me a passage of the book ‘Os Maias’, written by one of the greatest Portuguese writers, Eça de Queirós:
‘Wish for nothing, and fear for nothing… Don’t give into hope — or disappointment. Accept everything that comes, and that which escapes, with the same calmness that you embrace the natural changes of harsh days and fair days.’
This is not a call for resignation. It is a call for resilience. For steadiness. For principled action.
It is a reminder that true service – whether as Ombudsman, as a judge, as a Member of the European Parliament, or an official of the EU - must be guided not by fleeting emotions, but by thoughtful reason and an unwavering commitment to our values, rooted in empathy, compassion, and a common sense of humanity.
I am convinced that achieving this begins with empowering citizens.
Handling individual complaints is the cornerstone of the Ombudsman’s work. Not mere paperwork. Complaints are the voices of real people who – whether or not they know the intricacies of the law – seek fairness, clarity and redress. They reflect the belief that, within the complexity of European governance, there remains an office willing and able to listen - without filters, without barriers - to their concerns. An office whose power – and uniqueness -, primarily based on law, lies in the ability to champion material justice, transcending legal formalities to restore fairness, integrity and trust.
My commitment is to make this process even more accessible, efficient, and responsive — especially for those who are most vulnerable or underrepresented. In doing so, we act as true bridge-builders, helping the citizens, but also the institutions and the dedicated individuals who serve within them – often carrying the weight of decisions made without sufficient reflection or foresight.
At the same time, it is also paramount to anticipate and confront the challenges ahead, in particular the ones deriving from digital transformation. It is clear that the relationship between citizens and institutions – the private and the public - is being re-shaped.
It offers remarkable opportunities, that I want to benefit – but also brings recognisable risks, that I want to address.
As governance evolves, one thing must remain certain: fundamental rights must never pay the price of progress.
That is why, under my mandate, I will also use own-initiative inquiries not just reactively, but proactively and strategically - to enhance transparency, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure ethical governance. Many challenges we face are not isolated incidents. They are systemic issues. And where problems persist, the European Ombudsman’s role is clear: not just to respond, but to act. To help institutions reflect, improve, and, when necessary, reform.
But, of course, none of this can be achieved alone.
To truly serve citizens, the Ombudsman must also forge strong partnerships – collaborating with national Ombudsmen, civil society, academia, and all those who share our commitment to justice and accountability. This, also reflects the growing reality of a common space where public administration – whether national or European - is increasingly a shared responsibility and concern.
Citizens do not expect excuses. They expect solutions. And only through dialogue and cooperation we can deliver them.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Before I conclude, I wish to take a moment to thank my family – here represented by my husband - and of course my friends, whose unwavering support has been my greatest source of strength. Their belief in me is a constant reminder of the power of community, the importance of service, and the weight of responsibility—values that lie at the heart of the role I am taking up today.
As I take on this mission, I draw inspiration from Infante D. Henrique, one of Portugal’s greatest figures, whose motto “Talent de bien faire”— the talent of doing good - has become my compass in unchartered waters.
With that same spirit, I pledge today to serve with courage, independence, and integrity. To always act in the best interest of citizens. To ensure that our institutions remain fair, transparent, and worthy of the trust placed in them.
Together, let us strengthen our Union, empower our citizens, and uphold the values that bind us.
Thank you. Obrigada.
Teresa Anjinho
Source: European Ombudsman
