Veselin Vuchkov

Svetlozar Lazarov has stepped down as Chief Secretary of the Bulgarian Interior Ministry, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has confirmed.

First reports came from the Bulgarian National Radio, citing its own sources.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has already demanded the resignations of Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Svetlozar Lazarov and counter-intelligence head Vladimir Pisanchev.

Borisov earlier explained he would take the step on a cabinet meeting Friday or Wednesday, after having insisted for weeks that neither Pisanchev nor Lazarov should be replaced.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced Thursday that he will propose Rumyana Bachvarova for the position of Minister of the Interior to replace Veselin Vuchkov after his resignation.

Borisov made the announcement at his unexpected visit to Bulgarian Parliament. He said that he will make the proposal for the new minister position to stop speculations on the matter.

Deputy Prime Minister Rumyana Bachvarova stated Thursday that the resignation of Minister of the Interior Veselin Vuchkov submitted the day before came as a surprise.

She added in an interview for NOVA TV station Thursday that PM Boiko Borisov was not expecting such a development either.

There are three potential successors to Interior Minister Veselin Vuchkov, 24 Chasa daily reported on Wednesday, several hours after Vuchkov resigned.

According to unofficial preliminary information, the potential candidates are Yordan Bakalov, Kalin Georgiev and Metodi Andreev, 24 Chasa said.

Some lawmakers in Bulgaria's Parliament have questioned the meaning of Interior Minister Veselin Vuchkov's move to resign.

Vuchkov stepped down during a Wednesday cabinet session and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov accepted his resignation.

Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has called the decision of Interior Minister Veselin Vuchkov to resign on Wednesday "unexpected".

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has accepted the resignation of Interior Minister Veselin Vuchkov, a Deputy PM says.

Vuchkov stepped down at a cabinet meeting earlier on Wednesday, shortly before he was to table his proposals for a new Secretary of the Interior Ministry.

Interior Minister Veselin Vuchkov has handed his resignation, the government's press office has confirmed.

PM Boyko Borisov has accepted his decision.

Vuchkov stepped down during a Council of Ministers session, according to 24 Chasa daily.

Ministry officials had first been unavailable for comment.

Cooperation in security, rule of law and the fight against terrorism are said to be on the agenda of FBI director James Comey and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov as the two are set to meet in Sofia.