site.btaParliament Rejects MECh's Draft Resolution on Nationalization of Lukoil Neftochim Burgas, Lukoil Bulgaria

On Wednesday, Parliament rejected the draft resolution of Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) for the Bulgarian State to acquire Lukoil Neftochim Burgas AD and Lukoil-Bulgaria EOOD with 42 votes in favour, 80 against, and 70 abstentions. Under the draft resolution, the National Assembly was to oblige the Council of Ministers to prepare and submit for a vote in Parliament a draft investment expenditure for the acquisition of the two companies by the State, as well as to start negotiations with the owners of the two companies for this purpose.

Lukoil-Bulgaria EOOD operates a chain of over 200 filling stations. Lukoil Neftochim Burgas AD is the largest oil refinery in the Balkans. 

The nationalization of the two companies was supported by Vazrazhdane and MECh, as well as one member of Parliament from GERB-UDF. All but two MPs of GERB-UDF and members of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms were against, as were six members of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB), two from BSP - United Left, and two from Velichie. MRF - New Beginning and There Is Such a People abstained, as did one MP from GERB-UDF, 17 from CC-DB, 13 from BSP - United Left, and one independent MP. 

During the debate, Yordan Todorov MP of Vazrazhdane said that on Thursday, the ruling party would add an extraordinary item to the agenda related to the appointment of a special commercial administrator at Lukoil. The option of a special administrator is a temporary solution that in no way solves the problems, Todorov commented. "This was an opportunity for Bulgaria, if it were governed by true statesmen, to buy these assets," Todorov argued.

Last week, the National Assembly suspended the export and intra-Community supply of petroleum products, mainly diesel and aviation fuel, to the EU. The ban was rushed through Parliament by GERB-UDF after the US imposed sanctions on Lukoil on October 22, 2025, which directly affect Lukoil's majority shareholding in Lukoil-Bulgaria and Lukoil Neftochim Burgas.