The Ombudsman as a Guardian of Good Governance: Insights from North Macedonia

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the role of the Ombudsman in upholding the principles of good governance when protecting and promoting the rights of citizens and other individuals within a democratic framework. The research focuses on the work of the Ombudsman in North Macedonia, examining its activities and its authority over public institutions when acting or failing to act.Design/Methodology/Approach: The research methods applied include desk research, an analysis of documents and reports related to the institutional and legal set-up of the Ombudsman’s office in North Macedonia, and content analysis. To understand the complexities of the Ombudsman’s competencies within the Macedonian institutional set-up, a comparative analysis was conducted, covering examples from the EU and other global contexts. To clarify the findings, semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant officials, including the Ombudsman of North Macedonia and its deputies.Findings: The results of this research indicate that, although the Ombudsman is empowered to protect the human rights and freedoms of individuals or groups when they are violated by state authorities, its efforts to contribute towards the efficient and effective operation of public administration, and to promote the principles of good governance and the right to good administration in North Macedonia, are limited. However, this corresponds with the overall efficiency of the institution and its positionwithin the legal and political system. In general, the institutional response to the Ombudsman’s remarks is weak, as evidenced by missed hearings before the Government, delays in the adoption of its annual reports by Parliament, a lack of public debate, and insufficient implementation of follow-up measures addressing the Ombudsman’s remarks. Furthermore, the Ombudsman institution does not enjoy full independence.Practical Implications: The paper is based on research conducted in 2023/2024 and provides clear and structured recommendations for the improvement of the Ombudsman’s office in North Macedonia, aimed at achieving good governance standards. Due to its practical applicability, the recommendations can serve to improve the work of Ombudsman offices elsewhere in the region and beyond.Originality/Value: This research highlights the role of the Ombudsman in fostering good governance and presents it as a necessary condition for establishing a robust system for the protection of individual rights. Often, the work of the Ombudsman is analysed through its ex officio interventions aimed at protecting rights when violated by state institutions. In this sense, the office intervenes with proposals, suggestions, and recommendations, acting as a guardian of individuals’ rights in relation to public administration. This research presents another perspective on the Ombudsman’s role—often neglected in public discourse—by offering a broader view of its function in upholding democratic standards and good governance principles.