WHO IS WHO: Bulgaria's New Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov

Tsvetan Tsvetanov

BIOGRAPHY

Tsvetan Genchev Tsvetanov was born on April 8, 1965 in Sofia.

Tsvetanov joined the Interior Ministry structures in 1987, and remained employed there until September 2005 eventually reaching the rank of a colonel. During this period he held various positions including "specialist", inspector, and senior inspector.

In 1997-2001, Tsvetanov was a chief inspector with Rank VII at the Human Resources Directorate of the Interior Ministry. In 2001-2005, he was an operational assistant of the Chief Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Gen. Boyko Borisov.

Tsvetanov resigned from the Interior Ministry structures as a colonel on September 14, 2005, after Boyko Borisov resigned from the Ministry.

In 1988-1992, Tsvetanov completed a Master's degree at the National Sports Academy in Sofia, majoring in physical education, and acquiring the qualifications of a physical education teacher and track-and-field athletics coach.
In 1998-2000, Tsvetanov completed his post-graduate studies in law at the Institute for Post-Graduate Studies at the University for National and World Economy in Sofia.
Tsvetanov also has various additional qualifications in Spain and in the USA, in fighting illegal trafficking and terrorism, and has been awarded medals by the police services of France, Spain, USA, and Sweden.

With the founding of the GERB party on December 3, 2006, Tsvetanov was elected party chair as a surrogate for the informal leader of the party, the Sofia Mayor Boyko Borisov, and has held the position ever since.

Together with his wife Desislava, Tsvetanov has two daughters, Gergana and Vasilena.

PUBLIC SERVICE RECORD

1987-2005 - Tzvetan Tsvetanov held various positions at Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior including "specialist", inspector, senior inspector. In 1997-2001, he was chief inspector with Rank VII at the Human Resources Directorate of the Interior Ministry. In 2001-2005, he was a Sector Head at the Interior Ministry/Operational Assistant of the Chief Secretary of the Interior Ministry, General Boyko Borisov.

November 2005-December 2006 - Deputy Mayor of Sofia in charge of public safety and security