The introduction of new qualification criteria for the nomination of candidates particularly the graduation requirement, discriminates against some 96% of the population.
Furthermore, the university degree requirement particularly penalises female candidates, whose access to education is even more limited. Another controversial decision related to the provision that candidates would be disqualified if they, family members or business associates had defaulted on utility bills for rather small amounts (approximately 155 euro). This is most unusual and should be dealt with by other legal remedies (e.g. fines) rather than being used as a pretext for disqualification. Both qualification criteria should be brought in line with internationally accepted standards.