Members of the parliamentary committee for oversight of the security services backed on Tuesday the recent veto imposed by Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev on the controversial amendments to the Military Intelligence Act.

The parliament adopted on October 1 amendments to the Military Intelligence Act, making the current director of the Defence Information Service, Yordan Bakalov, no longer eligible to hold the position.

Under the new requirements the holder of the position should have more than ten years of experience in the national security system and has to be be armed forces officer on active duty.

Earlier version of the legislation allowed for civilians, such as Bakalov, to head the Defence Information Service.

After the adoption of the amendments, Bakalov resigned, but Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev refused to accept his resignation and called on Plevneliev to veto the amendments.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has expressed similar support for Bakalov.

The parliament will cast its ballot on the veto in the plenary chamber and in order for the new amendments to be upheld, 121 MPs will have to vote in favour of them.

Six members of the parliamentary committee voted in favour of the amendments, three MPs voted against, while three abstained.

The committee advised parliament not to adopt the amendments, Darik radio informs.