The parliament has adopted at first reading amendments to the Interior Ministry Act by which the Main Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime becomes again part of the Interior Ministry. The proposal was made by the deputies of PP GERB PG. The amendments envisage restoring the balancing role of the head of the state by giving him the power to appoint the secretary general of the Interior Ministry – the highest professional position in the ministry, and the chief of the State Agency for National Security. The changes foresee also to reestablish the competitiveness in career growth within the Ministry and the Main Directorate “National Police”. Amendments shall be made as well to the State Agency for National Security Act and to the Special Intelligence Means Act. The specialized directorate dealing with special intelligence means is proposed to be closed and transferred to the State Agency for Technical Operations to the Council of Ministers.

The changes in the Special Intelligence Means Act were passed at first reading with 81 “yes” votes, 5 against and 14 abstentions. The changes abolish the old rule requiring the bodies submitting the request for SIM to pay all expenditures in connection with the operation.