site.btaUPDATED Government Backs Emil Tonev's Reappointment as National Protection Service Chief

The Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved the reappointment of Major General Emil Tonev as Chief of the National Service for Protection (NSP), the government information service said.

Tonev was first appointed to the post by presidential decree on July 28, 2020. On June 27, 2025, the President's Chief Secretary submitted a proposal for his reappointment.

At the start of Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced he would table Tonev's reappointment. He said the government was acting in the spirit of institutional cooperation on constitutional obligations concerning the militarized National Service for Protection, which is part of the Armed Forces and falls under the President's authority as Commander-in-Chief.

Zhelyazkov noted that for months the only response to the Cabinet's letters had been that the matter would be considered at a later stage. He added that while the Cabinet has the right to initiate legislation, it would not propose amendments to the law on the NSP so as not to disrupt the institutional balance.

The Prime Minister also said Parliament has both the right and the duty to exercise oversight of the government, but also to propose and adopt legislative changes. He stressed that lawmakers must decide whether the current practice of prolonged acting appointments, such as the Secretary General of the Interior Ministry, the Chairman of the State Agency for National Security, and aspects of the diplomatic service, can be considered acceptable and become the rule. Zhelyazkov added that while the Cabinet would not want to infringe on the President's constitutional powers, it expected Parliament to address the issue.

Major General Emil Tonev's bio

Born in Haskovo (Southern Bulgaria) in 1970. Graduated with a master's degree from the Military Faculty of the National Sports Academy in 1993. Kickboxing Master of Sport.

Joined the Interior Ministry in 1995 as instructor at the Higher Institute for Officer Training and Research. Worked for the Bureau of Operative Investigation at the Ministry of Interior in 1997-1999. Held various positions at the Ministry's National Security Service Directorate in 1999-2004.

Entered active military service with the NSP in 2004, where he rose through the ranks as inspector, senior inspector, chief inspector, head of sector and head of department. Was appointed NSP Deputy Chief in 2016.

Additional qualifications: Basic training for national security officers at the Interior Ministry's Academy, a two-month programme at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest, and diplomatic security courses in Hungary, France and Greece.