site.btaMECh Leader Vassilev Describes Bill Concerning Lukoil Bulgaria as "Nationalization"

"In the bill proposed by [MPs] Stanislav Anastassov [MRF - New Beginning], Pavela Mitova [There Is Such a People], and Delian Dobrev [GERB-UDF], the State is, for the first time, turning into a “raider,” carrying out a nationalization — a forcible seizure of ownership of the commercial enterprise Lukoil Bulgaria through the appointment of a so-called special commercial administrator," Morality, Unity, and Honor (MECh) party leader Radostin Vasilev told journalists in Parliament here on Friday. His comments came in response to the submitted bill introducing the figure of a special commercial administrator at Lukoil Bulgaria.

“We will oppose this, but keep in mind that they have already decided to steal Lukoil,” the MECh leader said. When asked who the special administrator would be, Vasilev replied: “Whoever Delyan Peevski chooses,” referring to the leader of MRF - New Beginning. 

“This is not the German model; we must resist,” Vasilev added. According to him, MECh and other parliamentary groups were not invited in time to attend the extraordinary meeting of the Parliamentary Energy Committee.

Earlier in the day, GERB leader Boyko Borissov commented the topic by saying that the bill they're introducing copies and upgrades the German model as to ensure that no money goes towards Russian companies that finance the war in Ukraine. 

Lawmakers are discussing the Lukoil Bulgaria case after Swiss commodities trader Gunvor announced that it is withdrawing its proposal to acquire the foreign assets of the Russian energy company Lukoil. Gunvor’s decision came after the U.S. Department of the Treasury described the company as “Russia's puppet.”