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

War minister calls for compulsory military training for people working with firearms

Atanas Zapryanov
Photo: BTA

Those in professions where weapons are used should undergo compulsory military training. This is being considered by the Ministry of War, Minister Atanas Zapryanov told BNR.


"Our idea is that compulsory military training should not be understood as conscription or compulsory for all citizens, but only for those who want to work and whose profession is related to the use of weapons," the minister explained. If the proposal is approved by the National Assembly, the measure would affect border guards, court guards and even those working in private security companies.


Atanas Zapryanov also said that defence spending should be increased and the armed forces should be strengthened. The increase in the defence budget is about 138 million euro, and it covers the salaries of military personnel under their new pay system from January 1. This has led to increased interest in military service,' he added.




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

Kostadin Kostadinov

3 parties table a motion of no confidence in the government

The first vote of no confidence in Rosen Zhelyazkov's cabinet was submitted to parliament on the initiative of the Vazrazhdane party, with the support of Velichie and MECH. "This vote is doomed by pure mathematics, but that does not mean that we..

published on 3/26/25 2:52 PM

Psychiatrists threaten a mass resignation over the crisis in mental health care

Doctors and nurses from the country's 12 state-run psychiatric hospitals have staged a protest outside the Ministry of Health, demanding a higher pay rise than that included in the new budget. The protesters briefly blocked traffic on the boulevard in..

published on 3/26/25 2:35 PM

57% of Bulgarians in favour of introducing compulsory religious education in schools

Fifty-seven per cent of Bulgarians are in favour of including religious education in the compulsory school curriculum , according to a survey by Trend. 26% are against the idea. Support is lower than average among the youngest and higher among the..

published on 3/26/25 1:27 PM