Civilian Chief of Bulgaria's Military Intelligence Will Have to Go

Bulgaria's Parliament on Thursday adopted a legislative change that will force the current civilian head of the military intelligence service, Yordan Bakalov, to step aside once they go into force.

The head of the Defence Ministry's Defence Information Service could only be an Armed Forces officer on active duty, according to a change to the Military Intelligence Act adopted on second and final reading.

Bakalov doesn't meet the new requirements. He was appointed to the post in May of this year.

The change was proposed by opposition Socialists. It was backed by centre-right GERB party, the biggest partner in the minority coalition government led by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

The MPs also decided that the head of the military intelligence service would carry on in the position until a successor, who meets the new requirements, is appointed following a competition process.