29/07/2026 The National Assembly adopted amendments to the Act on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Associated with Oil and Petroleum Products

The National Assembly adopted at first and second reading, within a single plenary session, amendments to the Act on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Associated with Oil and Petroleum Products. The amendments were tabled by MPs from "Progressive Bulgaria".

The aim of the amendments is to enable the state to take temporary measures to protect the public interest and energy security, including in relation to companies trading in oil and petroleum products, where it is precisely through these companies that sales and market supply take place.

Critical infrastructure facilities, representing strategic facilities of importance for national security in the energy sector, intended for production, processing, treatment, storage, trade or transport of oil, including through pipelines, and energy products, are subject to supervision under this Act by the Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry, the amended provision states.

The amendment relates to the Constitutional Court's ruling of 21 July 2026, which declared provisions concerning the appointment of a special administrator at critical infrastructure sites to be unconstitutional.

The authors' reasons state that after the entry into force of the Constitutional Court's decision, there will be no legal possibility of appointing a special commercial manager with respect to the companies "Lukoil Aviation Bulgaria" EOOD and "Lukoil - Bulgaria Bunker" EOOD, since the two companies only trade in energy products, and the owner PJSC "Lukoil", through its subsidiary "Lukoil International", will have the right to take over their management. At the same time, both companies fall under the derogations for Bulgarian companies from the Lukoil group and if they are placed under the management of the sole owner of the capital, there is a risk that their activities will be blocked.

The National Assembly adopted procedural rules on the conditions and procedure for selecting candidates for governor and deputy governor of the NHIF. The deadline for submitting proposals is 12 August 2026.

The National Assembly adopted, at second reading, an amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act proposed by "Progressive Bulgaria". It adopts changes to the Renewable Energy Act and the Energy Act related to the Recovery and Sustainability Plan. It sets out a new, extended validity period - from three to nine months - for the opinion on the connection of wind energy producers.

Parliament voted at first reading on the bill amending and supplementing the Civil Servant Act submitted by the Council of Ministers. The draft amendments to the Act, tabled by MPs from "Democratic Bulgaria", did not receive support in the plenary chamber.

The National Assembly adopted a decision to open a branch of the Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" in Dobrich.