BackAs of 23 July 2012, Soledad Becerril Bustamante is the new national Ombudswoman of Spain. Her appointment was approved by both Congress and Senate on 17 and 18 July 2012. Becerril is the first woman to take over this position.
Becerril succeeds María Luisa Cava de Llano, following her two years as acting Ombudsman. Cava de Llano previously served for ten years as Deputy Ombudsman.
Francisco Fernández Marugán and Concepció Ferrer i Casals took office on 26 July 2012. Fernández Marugán takes up the function of First Deputy Ombudsman, Ferrer as Second Deputy Ombudswoman.
Becerril has longstanding experience in the political field. In 1981 she became the first female Minister by assuming the department of culture. She served as a Member of Parliament for six terms and as the Mayor of Seville from 1995 to 1999. Becerril received the Grand Cross of Carlos III and the Medal of Andalusia 2006, among other accolades.
Born on 16 August 1944 in Madrid, Becerril studied hilosophy and humanities Oxford English Center, West London College and the University of Madrid where she graduated in English philology in 1966. She holds a postgraduate degree in political science from Columbia University. Becerril also served as a professor at several universities. She is married and has two children.
The legal foundation on the Defensor del Pueblos stipulates that the office holder of the institution is elected by Parliament for a term of five years.
Source: Defensor del Pueblo
More information is available on the website of the Defensor del Pueblo.
