Ombudsman and CPC introduce a "fast track" for complaints due to increased prices after the introduction of the euro

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva and Acting Chairman of the CPC Alexander Kolyachev agreed on the introduction of a "fast track" for complaints received by the public defender and related to consumer rights violations and unjustified price increases after the introduction of the euro. This was announced by the ombudsman's press center.

The reason for the meeting between the two was the increasing number of reports to the ombudsman about the rising prices of food, goods, and services, as well as public dissatisfaction with unclear commercial practices, lack of transparency in pricing, and citizens' concerns that the transition to the euro is being used to artificially inflate prices, the statement said.

"The introduction of the euro cannot be an excuse for price pressure on people. Our goal is to process the signals quickly, transparently, and with real results," the ombudsman said.

"The CPC is reacting and will react to every signal with checks and all subsequent actions within the framework of the law against the violators, so that the rights of citizens are protected," assured the chairman of the CPC, quoted in the statement.

Within the framework of the agreed "fast track," the ombudsman will send, as before, to the CPC the complaints that require regulatory checks, but the commission will consider them with a priority deadline and subsequent information on the results. The mechanism will also apply to providers of quick loans, providers of public services, mobile operators, traders of food and other products and goods related to the daily expenses of citizens.

The first specific check on the topic will be made by the CPC in the children's milk kitchen in Vidin. In this case, Velislava Delcheva also notified the mayor of the municipality, Tsvetan Tsankov, with a recommendation for an inspection and the taking of necessary measures.

At a press conference of the Coordination Center to the Euro Mechanism in the Council of Ministers yesterday, the chairman of the CPC pointed out that among the most frequent signals they receive in the commission are refusals to return change in euros. Kolyachev assured that inspections of signals and complaints continue. With colleagues from the National Revenue Agency, we will be uncompromising in detecting violations in the return of change, although only days remain until the expiration of the dual circulation period of leva and euros, he said.