site.btaYes, Bulgaria: European Commission's Cooperation Must Be Urgently Sought in Selecting Lukoil Special Administrator

Speaking to reporters in Parliament’s lobby on Thursday, Yes, Bulgaria's Martin Dimitrov said that the cooperation and coordination of the European Commission must be urgently sought in selecting a special administrator for Lukoil's assets in Bulgaria. Dimitrov said that the special administrator will need to work in coordination with the European Union, as some of the issues related to oil supply are being addressed at the European level. He warned that if the administrator lacks experience in managing a large company, it would be difficult for them to handle the task.

"There is a delay on the government’s part, and there is still no national action plan," Dimitrov said. He stressed the importance of returning Bulgaria’s fuel reserves stored abroad.

Asked why they did not participate in the vote overriding President Rumen Radev's veto on legislative amendments concerning the special administrator, Dimitrov said they had serious concerns about the text. "They failed to convince us that there is a strategy in place," he said, adding that while action is needed, it should not be chaotic.

Yes, Bulgaria co-chair Bozhidar Bozhanov said that strict criteria must be set for the person appointed as special administrator. If the authorities cannot find a suitable candidate, they should seek assistance from the European Commission, he noted. The special administrator "cannot and must not be connected in any way with Movement for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski," Bozhanov added.  

Commenting on a recent statement issued by Lukoil, Yes, Bulgaria co-chair Ivaylo Mirchev said: "They say there will be no problem with gas stations, not with fuel - which are two different things. The issue is whether the warehouses where the fuel is stored will remain operational. If, after the sanctions take effect, transactions cannot be carried out, we will not be able to access the fuel stored there." He added that if the product pipeline becomes unusable, Bulgaria could face major logistical problems.

Asked about the canceled meeting of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation, Dimitrov said that "this is a serious diagnosis of the quality of the budget." He added there had been enough time for consultations with social partners. "The business sector’s assessment is negative, and this is our assessment as well," the MP said. 

Responding to a question about bonuses in the public administration, Mirchev said that they had submitted an inquiry to the competent institutions requesting information on bonuses paid out in 2024. "We proposed changes to limit bonuses to the equivalent of one gross monthly salary, which would be fair. If larger bonuses are to be awarded, they should be approved by the Council for Administrative Reform," he added. Mirchev added that "there are currently bizarre practices," citing instances of large bonuses awarded in the public administration.