Bulgaria’s Parliament has approved a temporary ban on the export and intra-Community supply of petroleum products, including diesel and aviation fuel, to other European Union member states.
The decision, passed on Friday with 135 votes in favor, four against, and 42 abstentions, aims to maintain Bulgaria’s energy security and stabilize the domestic fuel market in light of U.S. sanctions against the Russian oil company Lukoil.
The bill was introduced by deputies Delyan Dobrev (GERB), Stanislav Anastasov (DPS-New Beginning), Pavela Mitova (There Is Such a People), and Atanas Atanasov (BSP-United Left). It was reviewed earlier during an extraordinary session of the Parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee.
The motion received strong support from GERB, WCC-DB, DPS-New Beginning, BSP-United Left, There Is Such a People, and the Alliance of Rights and Freedoms. Opposition came from the “Greatness” party, while “Revival” and MECH abstained.
Exceptions to the ban include fuel refueling for vessels and aircraft, as well as supplies to EU and NATO armed forces. Implementation falls under the Director of the Customs Agency for exports and the Executive Director of the National Revenue Agency for intra-EU supplies.
The law also permits the Customs Director to issue special authorizations for exports or supplies when necessary, subject to parliamentary notification. Any authorization becomes effective within seven days and may be altered or revoked if required for national security reasons.
Additionally, lawmakers instructed the head of the State Agency for State Reserves to inspect fuel quantities stored under the Crude Oil and Petroleum Products Stocks Act by November 7, following a proposal from Stanislav Anastasov.
Delyan Dobrev of GERB defended the measure, emphasizing that Bulgaria holds fuel reserves sufficient for six months. He criticized what he described as “overly cautious” responses from some politicians and insisted the decision would prevent artificial inflation of fuel prices.
WCC-DB’s Bogdan Bogdanov, however, viewed the decision as a response to public anxiety, citing the strategic importance of Lukoil Neftochim Burgas and related infrastructure.
“Revival” party’s Tsoncho Ganev accused the government of reacting out of fear and failing to guarantee long-term energy security, warning of potential sourcing problems once sanctions take full effect.
DPS-New Beginning’s Yordan Tsonev countered that Bulgaria currently has sufficient retail fuel supplies for at least three months and that further measures are expected next week to prevent shortages.
Meanwhile, Krasimir Manov of MECH urged the appointment of a special manager to oversee the refinery, arguing that closer supervision is needed to ensure transparency and prevent unauthorized transfers that could threaten Bulgaria’s energy stability.
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