site.btaParliament Adopts Procedural Rules for Electing State Intelligence Agency Chair

Parliament Wednesday adopted procedural rules for nominating a candidate for State Intelligence Agency (SIA) Chair, conducting the candidate's hearing before the relevant parliamentary committee, and electing the Chair by the National Assembly. The rules were approved with 156 votes in favor, with no votes against. Eight MPs abstained, all from the Vazrazhdane party.

On June 10, the Cabinet adopted a decision proposing that Parliament reappoint Antoan Gechev as SIA Chair for a second term, according to the Government Information Service. Under amendments to the State Intelligence Agency Act adopted last year, the agency's Chair is elected by the National Assembly upon nomination by the Council of Ministers.

According to a report by the parliamentary committee overseeing the security services, the expiration of the incumbent Chair's term of office, combined with the amendments to the State Intelligence Agency Act, makes it necessary for the National Assembly to conduct a procedure for electing a Chair. Under the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, such an election must be conducted in accordance with rules adopted by the National Assembly and drafted by the competent standing committee.

The National Assembly has received a government decision proposing that Antoan Gechev remain at the helm of the State Intelligence Agency for another five years. Since Gechev held the position until June 17, 2026, the government's proposal falls within the scope of Article 14(2) of the State Intelligence Agency Act, which provides that the Chair may be reappointed to the same position for only one additional five-year term, the committee's report says.