RIGA, June 13 (LETA) - Ombudsman Juris Jansons has concluded that he cannot continue in his job and to submit his resignation letter by Monday, Jansons told LETA.

According to public media portal lsm.lv, a letter signed by 38 MPs that calls for Jansons' resignation has already been submitted to Saeima. The letter has been signed by deputies from all Saeima groups.

Jansons told LETA that if 38 Saeima members had indeed signed the letter calling for his dismissal, and if the issue would be included on the agenda of the next Saeima meeting, he would not be able to continue work as the ombudsman. Moreover, the Ombudsman's Office has also expressed no confidence in Jansons.

"There is no point in waiting for Thursday. I will submit my letter of resignation by Monday, which is when I will step down," said Jansons.

The Ombudsman Law stipulates that Saeima releases the ombudsman from the office if he or she resigns of his or her own free will, notifying Saeima in writing thereof.

Jansons' term of office as the ombudsman would end in March 2026.

As reported, hearing of Ombudsman Juris Jansons' annual report in parliament was postponed at end-May because Jansons had reported sick. The situation was further aggravated by the fact that this was not the first time that Jansons had failed to attend a Saeima session, as well as meetings of Saeima committees.

There have been media reports that Jansons frequently misses work because he has alcohol problems.

Jansons himself told LETA on Thursday that he was not planning to step down.

In an interview with Latvian Television on Thursday, Jansons said that he would probably be removed from his post, adding that his "professional relations" with his only deputy, Ineta Pilane, were not very good at the moment.

When asked whether he had alcohol problems, Jansons denied it, adding that he had been holding the ombudsman's post for fourteen years.