Economic Crisis Strikes Bulgarian Army Day Parade

Unlike the lavish Army Day parade in 2009, in May 2010, spectators in downtown Sofia will see only marching troups and a couple of fighter jets. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria’s penniless Defense Ministry is planning to make the 2010 Army Day parade significantly more modest than last year’s.

No tanks or armored vehicles will be featured in the annual parade of the Bulgarian Army on May 6, St. George’s Day, announced Defense Minister Anyu Angelov.

Several fighter jets and assault helicopters will be the only military equipment in the event which started to draw a huge number of spectators in the recent years large because the Army usually displays combat vehicles.

“The army holiday will be celebrated despite the effects of the crisis,” Defense Minister Angelov announced after his meeting with the Chair of the Supreme Administrative Court, Konstantin Penchev.

Judge Penchev said he expected an increased number of suits to be filed against the Defense Ministry over the upcoming layoffs of military officers.

About 32% of the employees of the Defense Ministry administration and 34% of its Social Activities Executive Agency will be made redundant.

The Defense Minister and the supreme magistrate discussed the suits filed against the military. The Administrative Court is analyzing the past cases in order to craft a more efficient mechanism for solving the future ones.

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