Director of Bulgaria's Defence Information Service Reportedly Resigns

The director of Bulgaria's Defence Information Service, Yordan Bakalov, has reportedly submitted his resignation.

According to 24 Chasa daily, after his return from a meeting with his NATO colleagues on Friday, Bakalov informed Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev of his decision to resign.

The motives for his resignation are the amendments to the Military Intelligence Act approved by parliament last week which introduced new requirements for the holder of the position making Bakalov no longer eligible.

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

The earlier version of the legislation allowed for a civilian to be appointed as director of the service.

Defence Minister Nenchev called on President Rosen Plevneliev to veto the amendments to the Military Intelligence Act.

Bakalov, who had served as an Interior Minister in the caretaker government of Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki was appointed as Director of the Defence Information Service in May.