Empowering Accountability: The European Ombudsman's Advocacy for Transparency and Good Governance

Over nearly three decades, the European Ombudsman (EO) has transformed from a resolver of individual complaints into a proactive advocate for good governance and transparency within the European Union (EU). This paper studies the factors that have led to the EO's evolution into a passionate champion of these principles within the EU executive. The investigation encompasses the roles of formal powers, networks, organizational capabilities, and authentic account-holding activities. Beyond these conventional sources of influence, the study focuses on the often-overlooked self-empowerment strategies employed by the EO. The objective is to establish a comprehensive framework for understanding and categorizing these powers. It becomes evident that the EO possesses powers that extend beyond the confines of legal provisions, mandates, or organizational resources. Through a series of strategic self-empowerment approaches, the EO has actively shaped the content and practices of accountability within the EU.