site.btaParliament Adopts on First Reading for Cadets to Receive Second Scholarship

Parliament adopted on first reading on Wednesday amendments to the Defence and Armed Forces Act, according to which military universities' cadets will receive a scholarship to prepare for military service as a profession. The bill was tabled by the parliamentary groups of Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, GERB-UDF and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.

Currently, cadets are eligible for scholarships based on their rank. Cadets receive a basic scholarship of BGN 260 to BGN 305, according to their rank, but they are not entitled to additional employment, the petitioners said. The changes aim to increase the attractiveness of military specialties.

The amendments envisage cadets to receive cumulatively two scholarships. The minimum scholarship will become BGN 754 and the maximum will become BGN 934 (approximately the amount of the minimum wage for 2024). Cadets, who are officer candidates, will receive from BGN 1,099 to BGN 1,299.

The annual cost of the the amendments is BGN 5,320,380. If adopted on second reading in Parliament, those funds will be provided under the Defence Budget Bill.