Bulgarian Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva challenges wage and seniority reforms in Constitutional Court

National Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has filed a request with the Constitutional Court of Bulgaria to declare two provisions of the 2026 State Budget Law unconstitutional. The contested measures are a new system for calculating labor seniority based on actual hours worked, and the suspension of the automatic mechanism that annually sets the minimum wage. Delcheva argues that the seniority rule will disadvantage part‑time workers, parents, people with disabilities, students and caregivers, slowing the accrual of rights such as paid leave and seniority bonuses. She also warns that halting the automatic wage‑setting process creates uncertainty about future minimum‑wage levels, undermining workers’ right to predictable remuneration.

The Court opened a case on 5 August 2026 and will consider the ombudsman’s complaint together with parallel challenges submitted by the GERB party and the “Continue the Change” coalition. The outcome could affect the legal framework governing wages and employment rights for a large segment of the Bulgarian workforce.