The state special manager must ensure the operational management of "Lukoil". We are not the first to introduce this figure. An example is Germany, which has had such a person in its refinery for several years. Our problem is distrust. The short meeting of the energy commission strengthened it. There are doubts that the state can ensure the regime of a special manager not in terms of capacity and competence, but in terms of trust. This was stated by political scientist Svetoslav Malinov in the studio of "Hello, Bulgaria".
We recall that on November 7, following the opinion of the US Treasury Department that the Gunvor Group company is a "puppet of Russia", the parliamentarians adopted at first and second reading to expand the powers of the so-called special manager, who will take over the management of the Burgas refinery. Thus, all control will be in the hands of the state and all decisions will be made after the approval of the Council of Ministers. They will not be subject to suspension and judicial control.
"I thought that we should act in the fastest possible way, but there are several violations here, among them - of political logic. The "Lukoil" problem is even displacing the budget debate. However, we must get used to the fact that this company is not the Russian government or Putin, despite the fact that sanctions against it are imposed in order not to finance the war. We can request a derogation, but at a later stage. When Bulgaria is ready to act, the special administrator should cooperate with the US Treasury Department and the EC. We could test SANS in relation to Gunvor. Although the agency does not have the final say, it was possible to conduct its own check," Malinov emphasized.
"Apparently, there was a preliminary agreement between the members of the energy committee on how to vote, after the meeting lasted only 26 seconds. The point is for the refinery to function and provide fuel without the money from sales and revenues going to Russia," commented political analyst Georgi Harizanov.
On October 30, it became clear that the subsidiary of “Lukoil“, which manages the group's international assets, had received an offer from the Swiss-Dutch energy trader Gunvor Group to acquire it, and had accepted it.
It all started when the US imposed sanctions on Russian oil giants “Rosneft“ and “Lukoil“ - the first restrictions against Moscow since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The measure aims to limit Russian oil revenues, which finance the war against Ukraine. Similar sanctions have been imposed by Britain, while the European Union is considering expanding restrictions on Russian energy companies.
"This is the only possible budget in this structure. From the first day of the government, it was clear that the presence of socialists in it is not a good sign. They are pursuing their policies of increasing social payments and state spending," Harizanov pointed out.
According to Malinov, in order to prevent protests, the demands must be met, but for this purpose, an increase in taxes and debt collection are needed. "The budget has a reasonable goal - the peace and survival of the majority. However, the potential for protest in the private sector at the expense of the state sector has been underestimated. The feeling of injustice will grow into anger," the political scientist noted.