The parliamentary energy committee turned down the presidential veto on amendments to the energy efficiency law.

Georgi Purvanov’s veto received the approval of four committee members and six voted against it. One committee member abstained from voting.

Purvanov decided to impose a veto on the changes as these would affect local self-governance and tax collection.

In addition, energy efficiency laws envision tax alleviations for owners of buildings that meet energy efficiency requirements. The manner in which these are to be introduced, however, remains vague.

Accepting the amendments also gives no time for citizens to get informed about these, Purvanov said. In case the changes should be made, this should happen in 2008, after Bulgarians have paid taxes for 2007.

Head of the energy committee Ramadan Atalai said that Purvanov and his team have not studied the amendments carefully enough. According to him, hotel owners and businesses exercised pressure over the president.