Bulgaria's Chief Of Defense to Be Sent into Retirement

Vice Admiral Rumen Radev, Bulgaria's Deputy Chief of Defense. File photo, BGNES

A new Chief of Defense is due to take over the Bulgarian Armed Forces, Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev has said.

"There will be a new Chief of Defense. The procedure has been coordinated. These days we are are to announce [the development]. Vice Admiral Rumen Nikolov will be sent into retirement," Nenchev has explained in an interview with daily 24 Chasa, when asked a question about Vice Admiral Nikolov coming of age.

He has refused to comment on reports run by the same media outlet that Gen Konstantin Konstantinov, Deputy Chief of Defense, is to take over.

Vice Admiral Rumen Nikolov was sworn in on June 30, 2014, after Gen Simeon Simeonov's term in office had expired.

The Chief of Defense is appointed by the Bulgarian President upon a proposal by the Council of Ministers and has a four-year term in office. 

Under Bulgarian law, Vice Admirals are allowed to carry out their duties until the age of 59 and have to be awarded a fourth star (and thus a new ranking) or retire.

In July of last year, a new presidential decree was expected that would have promoted Vice Admiral Nikolov before he turns 59 on February 09.

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