Bulgaria's ruling majority has approved emergency legislative amendments that preserve the authority of the state's special administrator over all major Lukoil companies operating in the country, extending government oversight to aviation and marine fuel operations. The changes were backed by Progressive Bulgaria, DPS, and one GERB lawmaker after the Constitutional Court struck down parts of previous legislation that expanded the administrator's powers.
The amendments are intended to prevent control of two companies - Lukoil Aviation Bulgaria and Lukoil Bulgaria Bunker - from reverting to their parent company, Lukoil International, which remains under US and UK sanctions imposed over Russia's war in Ukraine.
Under the revised Law on the Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Related to Oil and Petroleum Products, the special administrator is authorized to manage companies that are part of strategic facilities and activities deemed essential to Bulgaria's national security.
The special administrator already oversees Lukoil Neftochim Burgas, which operates the country's largest refinery, and Lukoil Bulgaria, which owns the nationwide network of gas stations and the fuel pipeline. Following a decision by the Council of Ministers, Lukoil Aviation Bulgaria and Lukoil Bulgaria Bunker have now also been designated as part of Bulgaria's critical infrastructure.
