Bulgaria's Chief of Defense Steps Down over President-Elect

Chief of Defense Gen Constantin Popov is resigning, Focus News Agency reports.

Popov, in office since February, has cited the need to give President-elect Rumen Radev an opportunity to name the military officer who will take the post senior position in the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

The incumbent Chief of Defense (a position previously known as Chief of Staff of the Bulgarian military) has also described his decision as a "moral act", with Radev having been his direct subordinate for years.

Bulgaria's President-elect was, between 2014 and 2016, Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, the only superior position to him being that of the Chief of Defense.  

Taking over the Presidency in January 2017, however, he will also become Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

Popov was nominated by President Rosen Plevneliev before the term of his predecessor had expired.

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