site.btaPresident Radev Reappoints Emil Tonev National Protection Service Chief

President Rumen Radev has decreed the reappointment of Major General Emil Tonev as Chief of the National Service for Protection (NSP), the President's press secretariat said on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Council of Ministers approved the reappointment of Gen. Emil Tonev. 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 the 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.

Reacting to Zhelyazkov’s remarks that for months the only response to the Cabinet's letters with nominations in the security sector had been that "the matter would be considered at a later stage", the President’s press service said Radev will announce his decision by the end of the month on proposals submitted by the executive within the coordination procedure for appointments. 

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.