The state strengthens control over critical infrastructure

Parliament adopted at second reading amendments to the Law on the Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Related to Oil and Petroleum Products. The goal is for the state to maintain control mechanisms over critical energy infrastructure.

The amendment provides for the word "trade" to be added to Article 25a, which expands the scope of state oversight by the Minister of Economy.

Why were the urgent changes necessary?

  • Constitutional Court decision: A previous decision by the CC declared the provisions for the appointment of a special administrator unconstitutional.
  • Risk for "Lukoil": Without these legislative changes, the subsidiaries "Lukoil Aviation Bulgaria" and "Lukoil - Bulgaria Bunker" could have come under the management of PAO "Lukoil," which creates a risk of their operations being blocked due to sanctions.
  • Energy security: The legislator aims to avoid disruptions in the supply of fuels to the market.

Despite criticism from the opposition ("Vazrazhdane" and GERB-SDS) regarding the procedure of voting on the first and second reading in a single session, the ruling parties emphasized that the measures were urgently needed before the publication of the CC decision in the "State Gazette".