Enhancing fundamental rights in the public sphere: the Defensor del Pueblo in the Spanish constitutional experience

The establishment and evolution of the Defensor del Pueblo within Spanish constitutional experience provide an insightful vantage point from which to examine evolving trends concerning National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in contemporary constitutional democracies. In this vein, the essay analyses the relationship between Defensor del Pueblo, NHRIs and ombudsman institutions, focusing on the constitutional relevance of the Defensor del Pueblo, as specifically resulting from its relationship with the political process, including the power to bring cases before the Constitutional Tribunal.