Balgarianovinite.com Citizens are relying more and more on the institution of the Ombudsman, Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva said on Bulgarian National Television’s morning show on Saturday. She noted that around 11,000 complaints were filed throughout 2025, while 8,500 complaints had already been submitted in the first six months of 2026 alone.
According to Delcheva, this shows that the institution has justified the public’s trust and that citizens need its services. The Ombudsman has the capacity to bring about change, and examples from this year demonstrate that in many cases the institution has succeeded in helping people, she added.
Consumer rights are among citizens’ biggest concerns, particularly high utility bills and poor-quality services related to water, electricity and district heating. Delcheva noted that complaints tend to be seasonal. “For example, complaints about district heating and electricity usually increase during the winter. This summer we will again see whether water shortages become a major issue,” she said.
The ombudsman deals with individual cases, but many of the problems recur year after year. According to Delcheva, this indicates that the State has been unable to address these issues systematically. She cited the long-standing problems involving heating companies as an example.
The primary responsibility for resolving systemic problems lies with the State, she stressed, adding that a comprehensive strategy is needed. Citizens also have responsibilities, including respecting rules and regulations, she said, pointing to road safety as an example.
Regarding water supply issues, Delcheva asked why the replacement of the country’s water infrastructure could not begin gradually, step by step. “Until we start replacing it, we will face the same problem next year,” she said.
Delcheva said she had several objections to the draft State Budget, arguing that the most vulnerable groups had been overlooked. Monthly benefits for children with disabilities have not been updated for three years, she noted. While EUR 600 per month may seem like a substantial amount to some, it is insufficient for many families who must cover medication, assistive devices and rehabilitation costs, she explained. She also raised concerns about benefits during the second year of maternity leave.
The draft National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Budget does not provide for higher funding for assistive devices for people with disabilities, Delcheva said. She added that the Health Minister had assured a parliamentary committee that additional funds could be allocated mid-year if necessary. A long-term vision in this area is needed, she insisted.
Delcheva also pointed out that despite pension increases, pensioners remain below the poverty line. She noted that the back-to-school allowance remains unchanged at BGN 300.
“There is a need to monitor how public funds are spent, but none of these increases correspond to the inflation people are actually experiencing,” Delcheva said, commenting on wage and social payment indexation. She added that current inflation measurements do not adequately reflect reality.
The Ombudsman said she had attended all parliamentary committee meetings dealing with citizens’ rights during discussions on the 2026 budget.
Commenting on a proposal by GERB to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, Delcheva acknowledged the significant risks posed by inappropriate online environments.
“The question is whether a total ban will actually work, because children always find ways to circumvent restrictions,” she said. She argued that the state should pursue a broader policy approach rather than relying solely on prohibition.
“What guarantees do we have that when children turn 16, if they are digitally illiterate, they will not end up in the same dangerous online environment?” Delcheva asked. Ombudsman Says Number of Complaints Filed to Her Rises 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-07-11 08:39:49 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law