It is now clear that we must move towards appointing a special manager for "Lukoil", as the US sanctions come with all their consequences. This was said in the program "From the Day" on BNT by the MP from "BSP-United Left" and a member of the leadership of the "Reds" Atanas Atanasov in connection with the urgently approved legislative changes, giving enormous powers to the special commercial manager, who will be appointed to "Lukoil Neftokhim" due to the US sanctions against the Russian "Lukoil".
We need to find a mechanism to continue the work of the refinery in Burgas. I have nothing against "Lukoil" returning to the hands of the state, becoming a state-owned company again, but there are many conditions for this to happen – we must work very carefully and methodically. But the most important thing now is to guarantee that after November 21 there will be fuel in Bulgaria. We have a plan for this. The state must be in its place and react promptly, Atanasov said.
In response to a question about the opposition's claims that the legal changes made today serve the interests of the leader of the MRF-New Beginning, Delyan Peevski, the socialist pointed out: "Here we are talking only and only about the state interest. Such is the case with the special manager. I do not see any comparison of the cases with "Bulgartabac" and with "Lukoil" – the approach itself is completely different. The ultimate goal is for "Lukoil" to be on November 21 not to fall into sanctions".
He also commented on the disputes surrounding Budget 2026, as well as the claims by GERB that the budget is not theirs.
In the BSP, we are used to always bearing responsibility, we do not run away from it, but in this case I cannot say that this is a budget prepared solely by the BSP. We are in a complex structure – it is difficult to find the balance between two right-wing and one left-wing party, but we will defend the growth of pensions, the growth of pensions and the preservation of all social benefits, as well as the fact that Bulgaria must move towards a fairer tax system, the MP from the left noted.
Just as we take into account our partners, they must take into account us. We still have discussions with all our partners, but I am convinced that they will reach our conclusions, Atanas Atanasov also said.