Bulgaria to appoint special manager for Lukoil takeover

Bulgarian authorities plan to place state-appointed management in charge of Lukoil’s local operations and will empower the special manager to sell assets, a process scheduled to finish by Nov. 21, GERB leader Boyko Borisov said during remarks near parliament. He said lawmakers on the Energy Committee expanded the manager’s authority to prevent payments from reaching Russian firms that could support military operations in Ukraine, and that the measure draws on a German legal framework. Swiss trader Gunvor withdrew its proposal after U.S. officials raised objections.

Borisov told employers his party prioritizes small and medium enterprises as a revenue source and will work with employers and unions through a Joint Management Council to address budget imbalances. He also reacted to the resignation of the Public Council for the National Children’s Hospital, criticizing Sofia’s mayor for attending a carnival in Rio de Janeiro while regional hospitals in Burgas and Plovdiv advance toward openings on Jan. 1. He said leadership decisions carry heavy consequences for livelihoods and public services.