Iliana Yotova on Lukoil: The Decision is of Key Importance

The decision regarding the future of the "Lukoil" refinery is a matter of utmost importance for the entire nation, Vice President Iliana Yotova stated emphatically to journalists near the village of Debelt, Sredets municipality. She emphasized that this issue goes beyond the scope of a simple parliamentary consensus, requiring broader support. According to her, a potential loss of the refinery would put Bulgaria in an extremely difficult situation.

The Vice President visited the "Promet Steel" enterprise near Debelt, where she participated in the commemoration of 1160 years since the baptism at the archaeological reserve "Deultum – Debelt".

Addressing the recent legislative changes related to the refinery, Yotova noted that it remains to be seen how the government will present the adopted law. According to her, the adoption of numerous sub-normative acts and regulations is forthcoming, which will define the functions of the so-called special manager.

Commenting on statements by political leaders who compare the measures taken to the German model for state management of strategic sites, the Vice President emphasized that this model has been functioning in Germany for three years. "There, the state management of the refinery will be extended until 2026. It is neither about sale nor about nationalization," Yotova pointed out.

The Vice President expressed concern about the speed with which the law was adopted. "The only thing that bothered me was the speed – record-breaking, in 30 seconds. I don't understand why such urgency was necessary. The texts could have been discussed calmly and the entire National Assembly could have participated," she emphasized.

Yesterday, during a single session, the parliament voted in two readings on amendments to the Law on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities related to oil and petroleum products. These amendments expanded the functions of the special commercial manager of critical infrastructure sites in the country, specifically including the introduction of the figure of a special commercial manager for the assets of "Lukoil" in Bulgaria.