[WATCH] New Ombudsman Anthony Mifsud sworn in

New Ombudsman Anthony Mifsud sworn in

New Ombudsman Anthony Mifsud said that he was looking forward to doing his duty and becoming a bridge to solve disputes between the people and authorities.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Grandmasters' Palace in Valletta, Mifsud said it was the third time he was being appointed to public office. 

“I was Auditor general under three different speakers and I tried to do my best each time,” he said adding that he hoped he would have support from all public departments I'm serving his duty.

Mifsud, who was unanimously approved in parliament last week, will succeed former judge Joseph Said Pullicino, who has served as Ombudsman since 2005.

Speaking after the ceremony, Mifsud also said that although his duties would be different from the ones he had before, both positions required absolute impartiality.

"My aim is to serve my duties with absolute impartiality in order to obtain justice for the citizens," he said, adding that the office was often out under pressure by various entities seeking to safeguard their interests.

Hoping that he would be able to attain the right results, he added that there were often cases when the various departments and government entities were bound with regulations and guidelines that meant that not everyone could be assisted.

“The Ombudsman is a highly important institution,” said president Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, presiding over the ceremony, stressing the need for the office at this particularly complicated time. 

She expressed her faith and hope that Mifsud would serve the office well and continue to serve as a bridge between the people and the government.