Bulgaria’s National Assembly has adopted a resolution instructing the caretaker government to introduce urgent measures aimed at cushioning the economic impact of rising oil and natural gas prices.
The decision, approved on March 13, comes amid growing concern over fuel costs and economic instability as global tensions and energy market disruptions push prices upward.
The resolution was supported by a majority of lawmakers despite the fact that the caretaker cabinet had already initiated steps to address the issue earlier in the week. In the 240-seat parliament, 136 members participated in the vote, with 97 lawmakers supporting the resolution, 20 voting against it and 19 abstaining.
The proposal was tabled by MPs from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning, led by businessman and politician Delyan Peevski, who has been sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act.
The vote takes place at a politically sensitive moment as Bulgaria prepares for early parliamentary elections scheduled for April.
The legislature is expected to adjourn next week when the official election campaign period begins, although political parties have already intensified efforts to gain public support.
Opposition reactions during the vote highlighted the growing political debate surrounding the proposed measures.
The nationalist party Vazrazhdane voted against the resolution, while the reformist alliance We Continue the Change abstained.
Representatives from the We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition argued that the government had already created an interdepartmental commission to develop anti-crisis policies and suggested that further consultations were necessary.
Earlier in the week, the caretaker government led by Andrei Gyurov had already established a task force to analyze the situation and formulate targeted responses.
The newly adopted resolution requires the government to present a comprehensive assistance program within one week and notify the European Commission about the proposed measures.
Central to the resolution is the creation of a new financial mechanism called the “Energy Support for Enterprises and Households” fund.
The fund will be established within the Ministry of Finance and financed primarily through additional revenue generated by higher value added tax (VAT) collections resulting from rising fuel prices.
Additional contributions may also come from the state-owned Bulgarian Development Bank and other unspecified sources. Funds collected will be used to compensate vulnerable groups and sectors affected by higher energy costs.
Among the beneficiaries identified in the proposal are low-income households, agricultural producers, transport companies and key public institutions such as hospitals, schools and kindergartens.
According to the authors of the resolution, global geopolitical tensions—particularly the ongoing conflict involving Iran—could prolong the energy price shock and create broader economic challenges.
Lawmakers emphasized the need for rapid state intervention to prevent severe financial strain on households and critical economic sectors.
The proposed support measures include targeted subsidies for public and urban transport systems, calculated based on monthly fuel consumption. Another potential measure involves state guarantees allowing transport companies to defer leasing payments until the end of the year.
Educational and healthcare institutions are also expected to receive assistance to offset their rising energy expenses, which have increased significantly alongside fuel costs. Farmers and agricultural producers will likewise be eligible for financial support under the proposed program.
However, the specific mechanism for distributing compensation to individuals and businesses will be determined by the caretaker government. Authorities will also decide how to support citizens whose incomes fall below the national poverty line.
Prime Minister Gyurov told lawmakers before the vote that the government is closely monitoring fuel supply levels, storage capacity and refinery processing. He said the cabinet is preparing contingency plans for potential worst-case scenarios linked to instability in the Middle East.
“We are reviewing all available data on fuel quantities, storage options and supply processes,” Gyurov said. He noted that government calculations suggest approximately one million Bulgarian citizens could qualify for targeted financial support once the measures are implemented.
According to Gyurov, the assistance will be distributed automatically on a monthly basis, meaning eligible citizens will not need to submit individual applications. Meanwhile, market data show that fuel prices have already climbed significantly since the escalation of tensions in late February.
According to fuel price monitoring website fuelo.net, the average price of A95 petrol increased from 1.25 euros per litre on February 27 to 1.36 euros on March 13. Diesel prices rose even more sharply over the same period, climbing from 1.29 euros to 1.48 euros per litre.
The government hopes that swift economic support measures will soften the impact of these increases on households and key sectors of the economy while maintaining financial stability during a politically uncertain period.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members