The board of directors of Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) has unanimously decided to release Krassimir Purvanov from his position of chief executive officer of the National Electricity Company (NEK), the country's Economy Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The board has concluded that Purvanov had grossly overstepped hierarchical rules and failed to follow the established procedures for negotiations concerning the future of the Belene nuclear project, the statement said.
Mikhail Andonov, serving as chief accountant and board member at the state-owned company, has been appointed acting chief executive at the state-owned company, while deputy economy minister Marii Kossev will take the vacant position at the board of directors.
NEK's board has also decided to launch a procedure to choose a new executive director of the company, according to the statement.
After signing a routine addendum with the Russian contractor for Belene, Atomstroyexport, Purvanov was sacked by economy minister Traicho Traikov, saying that NEK's head had gone beyond the terms of his negotiations mandate in signing the memorandum that bound Bulgaria to build the nuker plant.
Purvanov was later reinstated after prime minister Boiko Borissov intervened, as the move needed the approval of BEH, which is the parent holding company of NEK.