Bulgarian PM Expresses Support for Director of Defence Information Service

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov expressed on Monday his support for the director of the Defence Information Service – Yordan Bakalov.

Bakalov has reportedly submitted his resignation after the parliament approved amendments to the Military Intelligence Act last week which introduced new requirements for the holder of the position.

According to the new requirements, the holder must have ten years of experience in the national security system and the position can only be held by an Armed Forces officer on active duty.

The earlier version of the legislation allowed for a civilian, such as Bakalov, to be appointed, but the new requirements make him no longer eligible for holding the position.

Borisov assured that he will back the proposal of the Reformist Bloc (RB) calling on President Rosen Plevneliev to veto the amendments to the Military Intelligence Act.

The prime minister will gather his parliamentary group in order to explore the motives behind their support for the amendments which make Bakalov ineligible for the position.

Borisov, who had himself proposed Bakalov for appointment to the position, said that he personally likes him and thinks that he is a good professional.

He pointed that Bakalov is not a random person and reminded that he had served as an Interior Minister during the caretaker government of Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki.

According to him, there was no problem for the military intelligence to be headed by a civilian.

Borisov said that he has not yet seen a resignation being submitted by Bakalov.

Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov also expressed his support for the proposal of the RB calling on the president to veto the amendments to the Military Intelligence Act.

Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev also called on Plevneliev to veto the amendments.

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