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Bulgaria–Lukoil special manager dispute

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-07-27 06:50 UTC → 2026-07-27 06:51 UTC · added removed

In July 2026 the Bulgarian Constitutional Court ruled that struck down key provisions of a recent amendment granting that gave the state a "special “special commercial manager" manager” over Lukoil’s Bulgarian refinery, finding them unconstitutional and restoring shareholders’ rights. The court limited the special‑manager concept to refinery were unconstitutional, operations only, citing violations of the rule of law and property rights. The decision nullified the special manager’s authority and restored shareholders’ rights. A few days later In response, the governing Progressive Bulgaria party introduced a bill to amend the law Law on administrative regulation Administrative Regulation of oil‑related activities. Oil‑related Economic Activities. The draft seeks to extend adds the special‑manager framework to Lukoil‑Bulgaria trade activities of Lukoil Bulgaria Bunker Ltd EООД and Lukoil Aviation Bulgaria Ltd, enabling Bългария EООД to article 25a, allowing the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry to appoint a special manager for these subsidiaries if needed to protect public interest and energy security. The legislation aims to close a legal gap and preserve state oversight of strategic fuel‑trade operations. On amendment was presented on 25 July 2026 deputies by MPs Daniel Parushev, Slavi Vasev, Ivan Angelov, Nikolay Kosev, Stefan Belchev and Ivan Mavrodiev presented the amendment. It adds the “trade” activities of the two subsidiaries to article 25a, explicitly allowing a state‑appointed manager over all Lukoil entities in Bulgaria and temporary measures for public‑interest protection. The proposal notes Mavrodiev, noting that without the change the state lacks oversight of aviation and shipping fuel trade; Lukoil Aviation Bulgaria controls about 86 % of ground‑handling at Sofia Airport and 90 % at Burgas Airport and operates under authorisations from the UK OFSI and US OFAC. trade.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-27 06:51 UTC Bulgaria–Lukoil special manager dispute
  2. 2026-07-27 06:50 UTC Bulgaria–Lukoil special manager dispute

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