History
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INDEPENDENCE | |
| An uprising in April 1876 organized by the Bulgarians ended in bloodshed. The world expressed its discontent towards the Turkish invader. The uprising became the reason for breaking up a Russian and Turkish war in 1877. The treaty of March 3, 1877 set up the Bulgarian borders from the 14th century. The presence of such a strong state in the heart of Europe was however disturbing for many countries. The treaty of Berlin [Bismarck] Bulgaria was divided into three parts – the Bulgarian Principality [Belonged to Bulgaria], Eastern Rumelia [the Ottoman Empire fief], Macedonia and Eastern Thrace [Turkish property]. In 1885, the Eastern Rumelia was unified with the Bulgarian Principality – the beginning of the united Bulgaria. Macedonia became a bone of contention between Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria, which resulted in a war in 1912-1913. The states united against the Turkish invader, and then turned against Bulgaria. Bulgaria lost its territories. The First World War began. Bulgaria allied with the central states. Defeated in 1919 lost Southern Dobruja [for Romania] and Kavala [for Greece]. After the war Bulgaria tried to introduce agricultural reform policy – which fell through. The country joins the League of the Nations. In 1923, fascist rule starts. In 1941, Bulgaria takes part in the Second World War [allied with Germany]. |
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BULGARIA AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR | |
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In 1944, the Soviet Army reaches Bulgaria. A communist rule begins. The tsar family was forced to leave the country – with the young Simeon II. The rule was taken over by a regent.
In 1946, Georgiy Dymitrov becomes the prime minister of the government of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. In 1954, Todor Zhivkov becomes the first secretary of the communist party, and the president in 1962. His rule ended in 1989. A process of assimilation of Turkish and Pomac descendants biegun; the Bulgarian authorities banned any sorts of segregation of the Muslims. It is said that Bulgaria was the best economically developed country of the Eastern Bloc under the rule of Zhivkov. Zhivkov was removed from power by the opposition. New political parties appear on the political stage. The opposition forms a Union of Democratic Forces. |
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THE 1990s | |
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In 1991 the country adopted a new constitution. Bulgaria becomes a parliamentary republic with three authorities – legislative, executive and judiciary. The president is the head of the state – the president is elected every 5 years, appoints the prime minister and his cabinet. The Cabinet and Prime Minister are the executive authorities. The court guards the interests of the citizens, institutions and state. A Constitutional Tribunal decides on the conformity of legal acts with the constitution.
The 1990s are considered a turbulent period and the political fuss leads to economic collapse. The Union of Democratic Forces established a stable government at the end of the decade. A new economic and social program was introduced [Bulgaria 2000]. Bulgaria regains its political stability, which is a result of reforms in administration – a decentralization of national administration. The legislation was adjusted to European standards. A project of computerization and development of judiciary [independent of executive authority] has been introduced. The judiciary system became more efficient and decentralized after establishing local courts of appeal, according to European standards. In 2000, Bulgaria began the European Union access negotiations. |
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CURRENT SITUATION | |
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Tsar Simeon II returns. He has neper abdicated. He founds a political party called the National Movement. Simeon II wins the election and becomes the prime minister. Georgii Paravanov [a former communist leader] becomes the president. In March 29, 2004 Bulgaria joined NATO. In January 2007 Bulgaria became the member of the European Union.
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