# Bulgaria NHIF leadership election process > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-national-health-insurance-fund-leadership-election > Updated: 2026-09-03T02:02:21.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 5. The Bulgarian Parliament is scheduled to vote on the leadership of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which manages a multi-billion lev budget. This vote follows the early termination of mandates for former manager Petko Stefanovski and deputy manager Momchil Mavrov in July. For the director position, the competition remains between Stanimir Mihaylov, nominated by ‘We Continue the Change’, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Daskalov, nominated by ‘Progressive Bulgaria’. During the process, Mihaylov has centered his platform on optimizing hospital costs and reducing patient co-payments. Conversely, Daskalov has emphasized the necessity of full digitalization within the NHIF and the implementation of stricter financial controls. Zdravko Shushkov, nominated by ‘Progressive Bulgaria’, remains the sole candidate for the deputy director role. The successful candidates will be appointed to a five-year term. ## Claims - The Bulgarian Parliament is voting to elect a new director and deputy director for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). (corroborated by 3 sources) - Stanimir Mihailov is a candidate for director, nominated by the 'We Continue the Change' parliamentary group. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Daskalov is a candidate for director, nominated by the 'Progressive Bulgaria' group. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Zdravko Shushkov is the sole candidate for deputy director, nominated by 'Progressive Bulgaria'. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The elected director and deputy director will serve a five-year mandate. (single source) - The previous director, Dr. Petko Stefanovski, and deputy director Prof. Momchil Mavrov had their mandates terminated by Parliament on July 2. (single source) - Candidate Stanimir Mihailov prioritizes optimizing hospital care costs and reducing patient co-payments. (single source) - Candidate Vladimir Daskalov emphasizes full digitalization of the NHIF and stricter control over fund spending. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Bulgarian Parliament votes on National Health Insurance Fund leadership The Bulgarian Parliament is voting to elect a new director and deputy director for the National Health Insurance Fund, with Stanimir Mihailov and Vladimir Daskalov competing for the top post. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-parliament-votes-on-national-health-insurance-fund-leadership ### 2026-08-27: Bulgarian health commission hears NHIF leadership candidates Bulgaria's health commission is hearing candidates for the National Health Insurance Fund leadership, including manager nominees Vladimir Daskalov and Stanimir Mihaylov. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-health-commission-hears-nhif-leadership-candidates ### 2026-08-25: Bulgarian Health Commission to hear NHIF leadership candidates Bulgaria's Parliamentary Health Commission will hear candidates for the National Health Insurance Fund leadership this Thursday, including Dr. Vladimir Daskalov and Stanimir Mihaylov. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-health-commission-to-hear-nhif-leadership-candidates ### 2026-08-12: Bulgaria NHIF leadership candidates submitted to National Assembly Candidates for the manager and deputy manager positions of Bulgaria's National Health Insurance Fund have been submitted to the National Assembly for review and voting. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-nhif-leadership-candidates-submitted-to-national-assembly ### 2026-07-29: Bulgaria's National Health Insurance Fund leadership election begins Bulgaria's parliament starts the process to elect a new manager and deputy manager of the National Health Insurance Fund, with nominations due by 12 Aug 2026 after recent resignations of the incumbents. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarias-national-health-insurance-fund-leadership-election-begins --- Cite as: Bulgaria NHIF leadership election process. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-national-health-insurance-fund-leadership-election