Most Bulgarians believe that their living standards have deteriorated over the past 12 months, the private television channel bTV reported on July 26 2010, citing statistics from telephone research.

According to data from Barometre Info, one year after GERB took power in Bulgaria, 31 per cent believe that the Government has not fulfilled its pre-election promises.

More than 66 per cent believe it is time for changes in Borissov's Cabinet. When asked which ministers should be axed, the five most "popular" answers were Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov, Labour Minister Totyo Mladenov, Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov, Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov and minister without portfolio in charge of Bulgarians abroad, Bozhidar Dimitrov.

These ministers "represent the policies connected with the standard of living of the Bulgarian public", the co-ordinator of the research agency, Nikolai Nikolov, told bTV.

A third of the people who participated in the phone questionnaire said that the Interior Ministry is doing a good job, while 55 per cent opposed the Government's decision to raise the retirement age.

On July 1 2010, it was announced that Bulgaria's retirement age will probably be revised upwards by three more years. Under new measures, women will have to work for 37 years, instead of 34 years, while men will have to work for 40 years, instead of 37 years. In spite of the controversial measure, about 37 per cent of Bulgarians who are approaching retirement age, or have reached it, say that they would like to carry on working.

It must be noted, however, that the sample interviewed in the research is by no means representative of the entire country. According to the bTV report, 1011 people participated in the phone poll.