The Lukoil issue is anticipated to bring together parliamentary factions on Monday. According to a BGNES reporter, GERB-SDS is also going to likely suggest ending the derogation for Lukoil on the same day.
The GERB parliamentary group's announcement that it would be submitting a draft resolution to the National Assembly this week that would require the government to remove the derogation from the "Lukoil Neftohim Burgas" refinery within a week caused tension surrounding Lukoil to increase.
"We think the state should appoint a'special representative' and we should implement the most lenient fuel storage policy. Because our parliamentary group is capable of managing even in a crisis, it is not appropriate to place the responsibility for the government's inability to make strong decisions on all of those who support him, said GERB PG Chairman Desislava Atanasova in Ruse.
For his side, Finance Minister Asen Vasilev claimed that the parliament had previously made a decision about the Lukoil case, which called for the refinery's derogation to be extended until October 2024. If another proposal is made, in his opinion, it needs to be clarified and considered. According to Vasilev, the entire government will discuss any fresh ideas that are put forth regarding Lukoil. As of right now, the state is receiving money from the refinery and Lukoil is beginning to pay taxes for the first time. According to Asen Vasilev, the potential sale of Lukoil will not have an impact on Bulgaria's fuel costs.
We will again put out a motion to withdraw Lukoil's derogation. The GERB parliamentary group as a whole will be the importer this time. From this derogation, only "Lukoil" makes money, and it makes billions of dollars every year. Delyan Dobrev, a GERB MP, commented on the situation and said that the Bulgarian consumer is not benefiting. Under the influence of the cabinet, this choice was made. We heard warnings from Prime Minister Denkov that he would quit and the cabinet would disband the first two times we established deadlines—first a 7-day deadline and then a 30-day deadline. We voted to extend the current term till October 2024 in accordance with this," said Dobrev.
He claims that no risk of a sharp spike in fuel costs exists if the derogation is upheld. "The prices here are comparable to those abroad. The final cost of fuel is in no way affected by Lukoil's purchase of inexpensive Russian oil, according to Dobrev.
Boyko Borisov, the GERB party's head, claimed that there is a growing perception that the derogation may have an impact on petrol prices. "Is your oil or gasoline less expensive? It's been years since we had a derogation. Alternatively, does it keep growing? What are they scaring us with? 4 BGN was more than enough when Russian Urals oil was released from Bulgaria and continues to enter the refinery to this day, and Bulgaria has defended Russian oil, said Borisov. By selling the gas, Bulgaria will make BGN 3 billion, whereas Lukoil has already taken BGN 3 billion out of your pockets. Borisov queries what exactly they are frightening us about. /BGNES
