Send to Kindle
The Bulgarian parliament extended the powers of the army on Thursday, allowing it to guard the state borders.
This happened after MPs approved at first reading amendments to two articles of the Defence and Armed Forces Act.
The texts were adopted by all 156 MPs present in the plenary chamber, with the second reading to take place in three days, daily Dnevnik informs.
At present, armed forces are only allowed to provide assistance to the officials of the interior ministry, such as logistics.
An addition to article 57 will make the army eligible to guard on equal terms with border policemen.
However the army will be deployed only in extraordinary and crisis situations.
The military is also to prepare tactical plans for reaction in case of heightened migrant pressure.
The Council of Ministers will entrust the army with concrete tasks and will provide funding for their implementation.
The defence minister will regulate the use of force against intruders.
Shortly after the amendments were approved, Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev assured that the army has complete readiness to guard the borders, adding that the details will be clarified with the interior minister.
There is also a possibility for deploying joint patrols made up of troops and border policemen.
Nenchev is expecting surge in the migrant influx as the weather warms up.
Bulgarian racing talent Nikola Tsolov opened the 2026 Formula 2 season with a major achievement, taking victory in the main race at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne
Bulgaria’s economy expanded by 3.0% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to preliminary figures from the National Statistical Institute. On a quarterly basis, seasonally adjusted data indicate a growth of 0.8% relat
One week after the start of the US and Israeli strikes against Iran, the effects are already visible on global oil markets. The escalation quickly influenced trading on international exchanges, where crude oil prices reacted to the rising uncertainty surr
The skier who struck 16-year-old Bulgarian snowboarder Malena Zamfirova at the Czech resort of Špindlerův Mlýn was not under the influence of alcohol, Czech police confirmed
Airspace above Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport was temporarily shut down on Saturday after security systems detected a drone in the vicinity of the capital’s main aviation hub
The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) has announced plans for a series of mass protests over budget-sector salaries, more than two months after the adoption of the extension budget
Iran does not view Bulgaria as a potential target and has no hostile intentions toward the country, according to the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sofia, H.E. Ali Reza Irvash
Greece has announced that it will assist Bulgaria with air defense capabilities in response to the escalating tensions related to Iran. The decision was confirmed by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, who said the move follows a formal request from Sof
The Shin Bet and the Israeli Foreign Ministry have announced a series of measures aimed at bolstering Israel’s security worldwide, in the context of the ongoing joint US-Israeli operations against Iran
Bulgaria and Turkey discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East during a phone call between Acting Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov and Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler on March 4, the Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria reported to
Acting Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov told lawmakers during parliamentary oversight that the military aircraft currently stationed at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport are logistical in nature and are not capable of conducting strike operations.
Greece will provide air defense support to Bulgaria by deploying a Patriot missile system and F-16 fighter jets as part of coordinated measures between the two NATO allies.
Novinite 2025 in Review: A Year That Tested Bulgaria and the World
A Disgraceful Betrayal: Bulgaria's Shameful Entry into Trump's Board of Peace
