Alekseev and Khristov had previously attended the meeting of the gas crisis staff appointed by the interim government. When organizing this staff, Prime Minister Gyłyb Donev said that due to the coming winter the situation is critical.
Gazprom suspended gas supplies to Bulgaria on April 27, demanding that Sofia pay for the gas in rubles, which the then government of Kiril Patkov strongly refused and began to look for alternative suppliers. According to Petkov’s opponents, however, the government imported Russian gas, but supplied through intermediaries, at a price of 20-30 percent more. This resulted, among others, in a further increase in prices, and inflation in July reached 16.9 percent. Every year.
Infrastructure too late
At the same time, it turned out that the interconnector with Greece, through which Bulgaria should receive 1 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Azerbaijan, which accounts for one third of the domestic gas consumption, is not yet ready. The works are to be completed in September and Azerbaijani gas will start flowing through it on October 1.
The day before leaving the post of prime minister, Petkov announced that he had reached a preliminary agreement on the supply of American liquefied gas by seven tankers, the final agreement was to be signed by his successors. The problem, however, is that Bulgaria does not have LNG terminals, and regasification in Greece and Turkey increases the price of fuel. Ultimately, the current government signed a contract for the delivery of LNG by one tanker.
Resuming negotiations?
At the same time, employers’ organizations and trade unions are in favor of resuming negotiations with Gazprom, emphasizing that business is unable to withstand the current high gas prices, and there will be mass bankruptcies. Several large heating plants have already cut off their hot water for several weeks.
On the other hand, supporters of the previous ruling party are strongly opposed to negotiations with Russia. Protests have been organized on several occasions in front of the seat of President Rumen Radev, who, according to the constitution, appointed a provisional government after the dissolution of parliament. Further protests are announced.