GERB leader Boyko Borisov, on a visit to Silistra, called for a ban on diesel exports, bigger stocks in the state reserve and a cut in VAT on fuel from 20% to 9% for the length of the crisis.

Borisov calculates that this would lower diesel and petrol prices by about 40 euro cents. "Stop exporting diesel, keep it in the state reserve, produce more," he said.

He wants Bulgaria to rely on its own output to make fuel cheaper for people and business. He says the country can produce more, but sells fuel abroad instead of storing it. The refinery has said it can raise output, and he asked why prices are rising if that is so.

Borisov warned that in the coming months the international situation could deepen the diesel shortage. In a statement sent to BTA on Saturday, Lukoil Neftochim Burgas said that while the refinery is running and supplying the amounts needed for the domestic market, there is no reason to fear a shortage. It produces between 240,000 and 260,000 tonnes of diesel a month, while Bulgaria uses up to 190,000 tonnes.

Borisov thinks VAT could be cut for a limited time, and the European Commission should be notified. He recalled that VAT for restaurants was lowered during the Covid pandemic.

He also criticised the government's financial policy. He says the country is sliding into a debt spiral, and growing debt will make life harder for later governments because of the cost of servicing it. "Bulgarians are getting poorer every day. Their money is being drained through fuel, inflation and everything else," he said.

On national security, Borisov criticised the work of the security services and the way information was given about the ship that sank in the Black Sea after a drone attack. He says there are questions about the vessel's stay in Istanbul that the institutions have not answered clearly enough.