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

"Yes, Bulgaria" political party defines Budget 2026 as an "economic tsunami"

"Yes, Bulgaria" party (part of "Democratic Bulgaria") have defined the budget for next year as an "economic tsunami". MP Ivaylo Mirchev was firm that the pary will oppose it when the project comes up for discussion in parliament.  "Yesterday we were..

published on 11/4/25 3:33 PM

President Radev presents national flag to the 34th Bulgarian Antarctic expedition

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has presented the national flag to the participants in the 34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition. At a ceremony in the Hall of Arms, the flag was accepted by the head and doyen of Bulgarian research in the White Continent,..

published on 11/4/25 1:24 PM
Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde: Joining the eurozone is just the beginning

The euro will help, but it does not on its own guarantee higher standards of living, said Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, at the high-level conference in Sofia titled ''Bulgaria on the Doorstep of the..

published on 11/4/25 11:40 AM