site.btaHow Is National Security Agency Leadership Hired and Fired?

Under the State Agency for National Security Act, the Agency's chair is appointed for a five-year term in office by presidential decree on a nomination by the Council of Ministers. The idea of the coordination procedure is to deter possible attempts by the executive branch to abuse its power for political purposes.

The law presupposes that the State Agency for National Security (SANS) implements the national security protection policy as defined by the executive and the legislature and not single-handedly by the presidential institution.

The law does not provide for a situation in which the SANS Chair is no longer trusted by the Cabinet but continues to be trusted by the President. Ideally, the Chair is supposed to act objectively, impartially, and with political neutrality. 

Early termination of the Chair's credentials is only possible on three grounds that are explicitly formulated in the law: an ascertained conflict of interest, a grave violation or persistent dereliction of official duties, or actions damaging the prestige of the Agency.

Activating the last-mentioned option requires the President's consent to the dismissal of the SANS Chair.

The Government has the right to appoint or refuse to appoint deputy chairs of the Agency, but they must be nominated by the Chair. Again, a deputy chair must be named for dismissal by the Chair in a proposal to the Council of Ministers.