Bulgaria's ruling majority, represented by Progressive Bulgaria (PB), the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and Revival, rejected a request by Democratic Bulgaria (DB) to summon Economy, Investments and Industry Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Pulev to parliament over the Lukoil Neftochim Burgas refinery.
The proposal, submitted by Alexandra Sterkova and a group of Democratic Bulgaria lawmakers, sought to question Pulev about publicly disclosed correspondence between the British and US embassies concerning agreements between Lukoil Neftochim Burgas and Litasco.
The requested hearing was also intended to address concerns over whether the refinery could receive Russian crude oil that is presented as originating from Kazakhstan or another country not subject to sanctions.
Parliament Speaker Mihaela Dotsova ruled that the proposal was admissible and put it to a vote in the plenary chamber. The motion, which called for Pulev to appear before lawmakers on Thursday, was ultimately rejected.
A total of 58 lawmakers voted in favor of the hearing. They included five MPs from Progressive Bulgaria, 29 from GERB, 15 from Democratic Bulgaria and 10 from We Continue the Change (PP).
