site.btaContinue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria Warns of Risks to Bulgaria’s Fuel Reserves

The opposition coalition Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) Wednesday warned of risks to Bulgaria's fuel reserves. "There are serious indications that not all companies required to contribute fuel to Bulgaria’s mandatory reserves have done so over the years," said MP Ivaylo Mirchev (CC-DB). Speaking to reporters in Parliament, he warned that this could pose a risk of fuel shortages in the coming months and called on the government to quickly present its plan for dealing with Lukoil.

Mirchev criticized the ruling coalition for "once again rejecting the opposition’s proposal" to summon ministers and a representative of the Bulgarian National Bank to Parliament for a hearing on the Lukoil issue following the imposition of US and UK sanctions on the Russian oil giant. “This is a highly underestimated topic that carries huge risks for the country,” he said.

According to Mirchev, there are potential buyers for the Burgas refinery, but a sale cannot be completed within a month, not even if all sides are willing.  

Commenting on the Lukoil situation, former Prime Minister and now MP Nikolay Denkov (CC–DB) said the opposition has repeatedly sought to see the government’s plan following recent US sanctions against the Russian oil giant but has yet to receive answers. He warned that unless action has already begun, “there may be no fuel available by January 1 — perhaps even earlier.” Denkov stressed that the opposition will try to help the government, as “the last thing Bulgaria needs is fuel shortages at gas stations.”