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Parliament Approves at First Reading Amendments to Oil Sector Regulation Act

bta.bg · 13d · first reportShare

MPs passed at first reading on Wednesday the bill tabled by Progressive Bulgaria (PB) to amend the Act on Administrative Regulation of Economic Activities Associated with Oil and Petroleum Products. The amendment follows the Constitutional Court’s ruling of July 21, which declared provisions relating to the appointment of a special administrator at critical infrastructure sites to be unconstitutional. The bill was passed with 139 votes in favour, 11 against, and 47 abstentions. PB, the MRF, and one MP from GERB-UDF voted in favour. Vazrazhdane and one MP from Democratic Bulgaria (DB) voted against, while the remaining MPs from GERB-UDF, DB, and Continue the Change abstained. The amendment aims to enable the State to take temporary measures to protect the public interest and energy security in relation to commercial companies, where it is precisely through these companies that the sale and supply to the market takes place. The explanatory memorandum provided by the sponsors states that,