Radev vetoes law, warns of DANS power grab
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has rejected legislation passed on Thursday, Oct. 24, that would require government approval before Lukoil and four related entities could sell property or transfer ownership stakes. The measure mandates that Bulgaria’s Council of Ministers must authorize such deals only after receiving favorable assessments from the State Agency for National Security.
Radev argued in his veto message that the statute improperly makes cabinet decisions dependent on security agency recommendations, violating constitutional principles. Bulgaria’s government holds responsibility for directing domestic and foreign policy while maintaining public safety and protecting the nation, he noted. Because the security agency operates under executive authority, it cannot bind ministers to specific actions through its evaluations. The president stated this arrangement prevents the cabinet from exercising its constitutional powers independently and contradicts how executive institutions should function.
The Investment Promotion Act already contains provisions for reviewing foreign transactions that might endanger the country, Radev added. That existing framework incorporates input from both the National Security Agency and the State Agency for Intelligence, along with other government departments. Imposing special restrictions on particular companies conflicts with European Union legal standards and violates Bulgaria’s legislative drafting requirements, according to the president.
