Bulgaria’s parliament on November 13 overturned President Rumen Radev’s veto on a law that gives the government more control over the local assets of Russia’s oil company Lukoil, less than ten days before new US sanctions take effect.

The decision comes ahead of US sanctions on Lukoil that take effect on November 21, which could block payments and halt the operation of its Bulgarian assets. The government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazov is in talks with Washington to delay the measures by up to one year, though officials say a six-month extension is more likely.

Lawmakers voted 128–59 to reject the veto and approve amendments allowing the state to appoint a special administrator to run Lukoil’s operations in Bulgaria, including the Neftochim Burgas refinery — the largest in the Balkans — and its network of gas stations, BTA reported.

The new rules allow the administrator to sell company assets and make decisions that cannot be challenged in court or through administrative appeals.

President Radev had vetoed the bill on November 12, saying it gave excessive power to the government and risked “arbitrariness and abuse.” Lawmakers from the ruling majority quickly rejected his objections in an emergency session that same evening.

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said the new powers are needed to secure fuel supplies. “The special administrator will ensure the refinery continues operating if imports of Russian crude are banned or if the company refuses to cooperate,” he told lawmakers.

The Burgas refinery supplies most of Bulgaria’s fuel and is considered a vital national asset. Officials fear the sanctions could disrupt production, causing shortages and price hikes.

The post of special administrator was first created in 2023 when Lukoil resisted switching to non-Russian crude. Under the new amendments, the administrator will have full control over operations and financial monitoring to prevent funds from being sent to sanctioned entities.

OFAC imposed sanctions on October 23 against Lukoil and Rosneft as part of expanded measures targeting Russia’s energy sector. The restrictions block financial transactions and services, giving the companies until November 21 to wind them down.