Bulgarian MPs Reject Nationalist Demand for Shale Gas Ban

Bulgarian MPs rejected the proposal of the nationalist party to debate a moratorium on shale gas exploration and production in the country. File photo

The Bulgarian Parliament rejected Wednesday the request of the far-right, nationalist Ataka party to include in the weekly agenda their proposal for a moratorium on shale gas exploration in the country.

The conservative Order, Law and Justice party (RZS) will submit their own request on the same subject later during the day.

Ataka Member of the Parliament, Pavel Shopov, said from the parliamentary tribune that media focused on RZS's initiative and overlooked the nationalist's one because in Bulgaria everyone "pays attention to fakes, not originals."

From a total of 134 MPs voting, Ataka's proposal received 42 votes for, 56 – against, while 36 abstained.

Last Friday, nationalist leader, Volen Siderov, addressed in the Parliament Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, with the following words: "Give Chevron back their bribe, if you took one; stop shale gas exploration, and chase this company away from Bulgaria."

Borisov replied that it the MPs adopt a moratorium on shale gas, he would endorse it, but it became evident Wednesday that the majority in the Parliament does not want such moratorium.

The shale gas exploration and production plans with US energy major Chevron Corporation have been a thorny issue in Bulgaria ever since they emerged, triggering political opposition and civil protests.

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