site.btaMRF Chair Peevski Targets Electrohold Owner and Regulator Failures, Proposes Moratorium on Electricity Price Hike

Asen Hristov, owner of Electrohold, the electricity distribution company for Western Bulgaria, has shown arrogance by trying to shift blame for the power crisis to the State, mayors and environmentalists, Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Chair and MRF - New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski said in a press release on Tuesday.

Peevski added that this attitude suggests Hristov feels untouchable, probably because of protection from those who should be regulating the company. 

"The electricity crisis, which left thousands without power for a week, causing significant losses for individuals and businesses and posing life-threatening risks for bedridden patients, continues to lack an adequate response from the regulator, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC)," Peevski continued.

"Amid rising tensions, Ivan Ivanov, the Chair of the EWRC, said that he would not back down from the planned 9% increase in electricity prices starting January 1, 2025. He dismissed the possibility of holding the electricity distribution companies accountable for the resulting crisis," Peevski added.

"In response, MRF - New Beginning is submitting a proposal to the National Assembly for a moratorium on the electricity price increase. This would remain in effect until new members of EWRC are elected and a comprehensive review of the private electricity distribution companies' activities is conducted," Peevski said.

"Guided by the belief that every Bulgarian citizen is equal and should freely exercise their rights, and that businesses should have fair conditions to grow and create jobs, we will not tolerate the exploitation of people by arrogant, self-serving oligarchs and their cronies in institutions," he concluded.