Bulgarian Air Force Commander Seeks to Retire

Bulgarian Air Force Commander Maj Gen Rumen Radev is willing to retire from the military, the Defense Ministry says.

Monday's resignation is the second he has submitted in ten months.

Officially, the reason pointed is the fact that he reached the retirement age for his position and is entitled to a pension.

However, private national broadcaster NOVA TV quotes sources as saying Radev took the step in protest at the move of Bulgarian lawmakers to allow foreign military aircraft to conduct air policing missions over Bulgarian airspace.

The decision, which sparked controversy among some politicians, was adopted in January. Several months earlier, Radev had submitted his resignation, citing a number of unresolved issues, but withdrew it after meeting Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, with the latter assuring him measures will be taken to upgrade the air force's capabilities.

The Air Force Commander was appointed with a decree of the President, which with incumbent Plevneliev the decision to approve Radev's application.

Radev is also among the names unofficially shortlisted by the biggest opposition party, BSP, as a possible candidate for the presidential elections this autumn.

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