Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Defense Minister: Reinstatement of mandatory service could be on the agenda if vacancies in the army are not filled

Photo: BTA

For now, we do not envisage and do not propose to the Bulgarian parliament to return the conscription military service, Caretaker Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov told BNR. He expressed the hope that with the increase in the salaries of the military personnel from next year, the interest in the army will also increase in order to fill the vacant positions.

"In this way, we stimulate voluntary military service", emphasized the minister. However, he specified that if the measure does not lead to a change in the near future, the issue of the return of mandatory military service may be on the agenda in Bulgaria as well.

Minimum defense spending should rise to 2.5% of the GDP, said Atanas Zapryanov. "The Russian aggression against Ukraine generates a need for much greater capabilities and this leads to an increase in military spending in some countries," he reasoned.

Regarding the military aid we provide to Ukraine, the minister said that all the necessary armaments and equipment for our army is available. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Costs of employers for salaries have gone up by 13 %

In the forth quarter of 2024 compared to the forth quarter of 2023, total costs of employers in Bulgaria per hour of work of employed persons have risen by 12.8 % , show NSI data.  The highest rise in overall costs for labour is registered in the..

published on 3/21/25 4:07 PM

Marin Marinov is the Bulgarian who died in the attack in the Gaza Strip

The Bulgarian citizen who died in the attack in Gaza two days ago is Marin Marinov , 51 years old from the city of Yambol. This is clear from a publication by the Yambol municipality on social networks.  Israel investigates the death of the..

published on 3/21/25 2:06 PM
Education minister Krasimir Valchev

Bilingual children returning from abroad should have additional Bulgarian lessons

The Bulgarian education system and the law on preschool and school education do not provide for the so-called language integration , Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev admitted to the relevant parliamentary committee. According to him, this means..

published on 3/21/25 1:28 PM