Sofia Police Chief Lyubomir Nikolov has been appointed as acting Secretary General of the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev announced at a briefing on Tuesday. The move follows the sudden resignation of Georgi Kandev, who stepped down a day earlier, claiming on social media that he was leaving the system amid speculation of possible pressure.
Demerdzhiev said Nikolov’s appointment is temporary, stressing that a permanent candidate will be named once a suitable option is identified. “This will be the acting one for now,” the minister stated, adding that a full appointment will follow once the government is confident in its choice.
Under current procedures, in the absence of a permanent secretary general and deputy, the role is typically assumed by the head of the General Directorate of the National Police. However, the position has instead been assigned to SDVR director Lyubomir Nikolov, who will serve in an interim capacity. One of Nikolov’s deputies is expected to take over leadership of the Sofia police directorate during this period.
“When we are convinced who the right choice is, there will be a permanent appointment,” Demerdzhiev said, describing the situation as unexpected.
