Bulgarian president’s actions may herald return of controversial media mogul Peevski to national security post

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev called on the Constitutional Court to revoke a decision made by Parliament on June 19, cancelling the appointment of controversial media tycoon Delayan Peevski for the post of State Agency for National Security (DANS) chair, the local media reported on Oct.28.

“Bulgaria’s president has asked the Constitutional Court to annul the decision of Parliament cancelling the appointment of Delyan Peevski as security agency head,” Bulgarian news agency novinite.com reported.

Pleneliev argued that the decision was unconstitutional as it was “subjective” and not based on a legal mandate.

Peevski’s nomination for the DANS chair was revoked following mass demonstrations outside Parliament. Those heading the protests demanded an end to nepotism and cronyism within the country’s power structures and a resignation of the socialist-led government.

The president’s announcement may trigger increased unrest in a country which has been plagued by mass protests since the Peevski incident in June.

The latest round of demonstrations saw the occupation of Sofia University by some 100 students. The occupation has now lasted for a week and has prompted students from other educational institutions around the country to follow suit.