33 Facts About Delyan Peevski

Delyan Slavchev Peevski is a Bulgarian politician and oligarch, sanctioned by the Global Magnitsky Act, by the UK and the United States for corruption, bribery and embezzlement.

Delyan Peevski is a former media mogul and has served as Member of the National Assembly of Bulgaria since 2009.

Since these sanctions, Delyan Peevski has worked closely with representatives of Ukraine to reduce Russia's influence in the energy sector in an attempt to launder his way out of the Magnitsky Act.

Delyan Peevski graduated from 119 SOU in Sofia in 1998 and completed his legal studies at the South-West University in 2003.

In 2001, Delyan Peevski joined the National Movement Simeon II.

Delyan Peevski was investigated, but the investigation was dropped and he was given his job back.

In June 2013, Delyan Peevski was elected President of the State Agency for National Security, with the votes of 116 MPs.

In May 2014, Delyan Peevski was elected to the European Parliament on the MRF ticket, but immediately thereafter decided to give up his seat.

Delyan Peevski explained that his motivation to participate in the European elections, while not taking his seat, had been to restore his reputation.

Since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, Delyan Peevski has become a staunch supporter of Bulgaria's humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine.

In 2023 and 2024, Delyan Peevski repeatedly accused the government of unnecessarily prolonging the imports of Russian oil in Bulgaria, instead of banning them in line with other EU countries.

Delyan Peevski's veto was later overturned by the MPs and the amendments were conclusively adopted by the Parliament on 7 March 2018.

Delyan Peevski was said to have the lowest attendance in the 44th National Assembly.

Delyan Peevski has appeared in only one plenary session, according to data from December 2017.

Delyan Peevski was among the 166 MPs who filed amendments to the Constitution of Bulgaria on 28 July 2023.

Furthermore, Delyan Peevski was among the MPs who signed and filed a bill, allowing the state to terminate the concession of the Port of Rosenetz, held by the Russian owned company Lukoil Neftohim.

Delyan Peevski filed along with other MPs from MRF, GERB and PP-DB a second bill, which aims to end the derogation from the EU sanctions, allowing Bulgaria to continue importing Russian crude oil.

Delyan Peevski has criticised PPDB for their decision to not support the immediate cessation of the derogation of the Rosenets Refinery to Lukoil in October and November 2023, even going as far as to characterise them as "Pro-Putin" parties.

Delyan Peevski criticised the response of PM Nikolay Denkov to the onset of snow storms and extreme weather in late November 2023, claiming that the PM must "leave his warm and cushy office and go help people in need".

Delyan Peevski voted in favour of the proposed Constitutional Amendments in all their readings, stating upon the conclusion of the process on December 22,2023, that Bulgaria has now "truly become a parliamentary republic" in reference to the decreased powers of the presidency.

In late January 2024, Delyan Peevski engaged in a number of arguments with incumbent President Rumen Radev, calling on Radev to resign if he wishes to engage in active politics and alleging that the President was engaged in corrupt activities.

On 3 January 2024 to commemorate the founding of DPS, Honorary President Ahmed Dogan published an address to the party membership, in which he nominated Delyan Peevski to serve as co-chairman with experienced DPS MP and ex-Minister Dzhevdet Chakarov- with Chakarov being responsible for the international standing of the party and its "traditional regions", while Peevski would be responsible for parliamentary activity and expanding the electorate of the party.

Delyan Peevski similarly published an open letter to the DPS membership, in which he outlined his own motivation to "restore a connection with the people and the political class" and underlined his commitment to the "mission" of DPS.

Delyan Peevski is said to control or influence many other local media and websites, that he does not officially own.

In 2016, Delyan Peevski owned several construction companies and was the owner of Bulgartabac, the biggest manufacturer and seller of tobacco and related products.

In early 2016, Delyan Peevski published a letter to the media where he said he would no longer start any new business projects in Bulgaria.

Delyan Peevski said his decision was due to an "ongoing 'smear' campaign" and political pressure.

On 27 January 2021 Delyan Peevski sold the media he owned to the leading provider of telecommunications services and media in Southeastern Europe United Group.

Delyan Peevski has been accused of influence peddling and attacks against business competitors in a Reporters Without Borders report.

Since these sanctions took effect, Delyan Peevski has taken an active stance against Russian business interests in Bulgaria, in particular against Lukoil.

Delyan Peevski has become the most significant supporter of legislation favoring exports of ammunition and energy to Ukraine.

Since that time Delyan Peevski has met the European Union ambassadors to vouch full support for Ukraine in all parliamentary maters.

Delyan Peevski has ordered his party's support for Bulgaria's Eurozone entry.