Tension between the Prime Minister and the President over the Head of DANS

Sofia. Amid political tension and anticipation, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov appeared before members of Parliament during parliamentary control to shed light on one of the most sensitive issues of recent weeks — the appointment of a new chairman of the State Agency for National Security (SANS). His statement, made in response to a question from the opposition, reveals institutional stagnation and underscores the need for consensus in the management of key state structures.

In the National Assembly hall, with the eyes of MPs fixed on him, Zhelyazkov emphasized the need for institutional cooperation. He stated that the government did not want conflict or confrontation, but was seeking collaboration.

"The President has expressed his position in the media and public space, but we are still waiting for him to pronounce on it within the framework of the coordination procedure, as an expression of our will for institutional cooperation and not confrontation and provoking conflict," said the Prime Minister.

The central problem, as was clear from his words, lies in the legal procedure, which requires coordination between the executive branch and the presidency.

"The current legal framework provides that the appointment of a chairman of SANS shall be carried out under the hypothesis of shared competence between the Council of Ministers and the President of Bulgaria. In compliance with the principles of separation of powers and the rule of law, it is not possible to unilaterally impose the will of one institution over the other," Zhelyazkov stated emphatically.

The government, for its part, has already taken the necessary step, sending the President a request for coordination regarding the appointment of Denyo Denev as chairman of SANS. This action emphasizes that the ball is now in the head of state's court, and the executive branch is distancing itself from any possible delay in the procedure. Zhelyazkov was explicit, stating that the government is not responsible for the actions of another body.

MP from "We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria" with an alternative proposal

The question to the Prime Minister was asked by the MP from "We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria" Atanas Atanasov. The MP proposed as an alternative option that the cabinet nominate several candidates with concepts for the management of SANS, who would be heard by the relevant parliamentary committee. According to the Prime Minister, however, this procedure is not in line with the regulatory framework. The full text of the question can be found on the parliament's website, which allows the public to familiarize themselves with the details of the debate.

Background of the case

The tension surrounding the post of chairman of SANS began on June 4 of this year, when Plamen Tonchev was relieved of his duties. His deputy, Denyo Denev, was appointed as interim head of the post. Since then, the uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the key national security agency has continued to hang in the air, becoming yet another point of intersection between institutional powers and political interests.