The government of Bulgaria has appointed 28 new regional governors, dismissing all incumbents in a sweeping nationwide administrative overhaul aimed at strengthening oversight and refreshing leadership at the provincial level.
The decision, announced following a cabinet session, affects every region of the country. Officials said the changes are intended to improve coordination between central authorities and local administrations while injecting professional expertise into public service roles.
Several of the newly appointed governors come from academic or legal backgrounds, while others bring long experience in security, finance or municipal management.
Dobromir Gyulev will lead the Burgas region. A graduate of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, he has worked primarily with start-ups and later held managerial posts in quality control, inspections and auditing.
In Blagoevgrad, Nikolay Kukolev takes office with a master’s degree in public finance from South-West University Neofit Rilski. He previously served as deputy regional governor and lectured in higher education institutions.
Atanas Mihov assumes responsibility for Varna after more than 30 years of service in the Interior Ministry. Recognised for his work in internal security, he holds qualifications in philology and national security from the ministry’s academy.
Veliko Tarnovo will be governed by Valentin Mihaylov, who has legal and accounting training from Veliko Tarnovo University St. Cyril and Methodius. He previously served as deputy governor and has long experience within the regional administration.
Ivan Ivanov, an economist and former labour bureau director, takes charge in Vidin, while Stefan Stefanov returns as Vratsa’s governor after holding the post briefly in 2022.
Assen Daskalov will head Gabrovo following a career in the private sector. In Dobrich, lawyer Assen Atanasov, a graduate of Varna Free University, steps into the role after working in municipal legal and property management.
Other appointments reflect similar blends of administrative and professional expertise. Zdravko Todorov, with a background in trade and finance, takes Kardzhali. Kristian Ivanchov, formerly deputy mayor, becomes governor of Kyustendil. Polya Varbanova, experienced in local administration, leads Lovech.
Mihail Ivanov, an economist with marketing experience, will oversee Montana, while Lyubomir Gechev transitions from deputy mayor to regional governor in Pazardzhik. Georgi Nedev and Alexander Yotkov assume the posts in Pernik and Pleven respectively, both bringing technical and engineering backgrounds.
Plovdiv’s new governor, Vladislav Popov, stands out for his academic profile. A professor of agroecology with a doctorate from Western Sydney University, he has worked extensively in sustainable farming and environmental protection.
Business and management specialists also feature prominently. Orlin Penkov in Ruse and Ognyan Obreshkov in Razgrad both bring private-sector and industrial expertise. Dimitar Karadjov, a lawyer, takes Silistra, while Marincho Hristov returns to the governorship of Sliven.
Smolyan sees the return of Zarko Marinov, who previously served in the same capacity. In Sofia region, Vyara Todeva resumes the role after earlier service, joined by Ivan Dimitrov, another former deputy governor.
Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen and Yambol will be led by Iva Radeva, Radoslav Boychev, Ginka Raycheva, Marin Marinov and Bilyana Kavaldzhieva-Dimitrova, several of whom have previously occupied the same offices.
Analysts say the reshuffle signals a push for administrative continuity mixed with new energy. By appointing former deputies and experienced civil servants alongside fresh faces, the government appears to be prioritising both institutional memory and reform.
As the new governors take office, attention will turn to how effectively they can address regional development, public services and economic challenges. Their performance may prove crucial in shaping public confidence in local governance nationwide.