History of Bulgaria (1990–present)
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The history of Bulgaria from 1990 to the present is the period of Bulgarian history that begins after the fall of Communism and the transition to a market economy.
End of the Communist rule
The reforms towards liberalization, both social, political and economic in the Eastern Bloc started with Mikhail Gorbachev's reform program in the Soviet Union which was felt in Bulgaria in the late 1980s. In fact, the release of tightening started with the end of the Stalinist era and continued slowly to the point that many previously forbidden literary texts were translated, the same was relevant for Hollywood movies, etc., stores appeared with Western products that had elements of advertisement (advertisement of products was generally unknown and not used in the Eastern Bloc since everything was accessible and the same to all), these new features of the late communist years acknowledged the gradual breaking of the Iron Curtain for the Comecon people. This, together with the policies of Gorbachev, led to more freedom and expectations for democracy among people.
In November 1989, demonstrations on ecological issues were staged in Sofia, and these soon broadened into a general campaign for political reform. That communists generally did not break the demonstrations was a sign of a possible change that would come. In fact, communist politicians reacted by eventually voting for the removal of
Transition
Like the other post-socialist regimes in eastern Europe, Bulgaria found the transition to capitalism rather painful and not easy as expected. The anti-Communist Union of Democratic Forces (in Bulgarian: СДС, SDS) took office between 1991 and 1992 to carry through the privatization of agricultural land, properties and industry issuing shares in government enterprises to all citizens, but these were accompanied by massive unemployment as industries were no longer tightened to the broken Comecon and failed in competition of the global market without the participation of Bulgaria to new regional or world trade organizations, at the same time Bulgaria's industry showed to be backward which was amendable but in the hurry of political changes neither government, nor people were ready for industrial modernization. In fact the disbandment of former State security that was tightened to the Communist party (Bulgarian: ДС, DS) although brought relief to many Bulgarian people previously feared to speak or express other than communist views, at the same time boosted criminality never seen before in Bulgaria. The police were not ready to care about and chase the criminality which was before kept low with the fearful methods of DS. This led to mass stealing of capital, machinery, materials and even furniture from the industry and also institutions. Referring to industry this led to soon failing to work of many factories, etcetera
Zhan Videnov (1995–1997)
- For more information on the cabinet, see Videnov Government.
The Socialists (former Communists) presented their political visions as the defenders of the poor against the excesses of the free market. Reaction against economic reforms appeared because reforms left many unemployed (unemployment was almost not existing before in Bulgaria) and many towns literally was left to drop economically just in months, this allowed
Ivan Kostov (1997–2001)
The new Democratic government headed by Ivan Kostov enjoyed strong support and moved the Bulgarian economy ahead,[clarification needed] but allegations of corruption and inability to cope with some of the serious problems in the country caused frustration. The electorate became to some extent dissatisfied with both parties – BSP and SDS. At that point Stoyanov, who still held some good positions and had public approval, took part in presidential elections seeking a second mandate, but he scandalously failed with a blunder on TV and lost support, and the elections too. The newly elected president, former BSP leader Georgi Parvanov, was not very well known to the public although he was in politics since the early 1990s, and was well received for his wise political behavior.[according to whom?] Although a BSP candidate, he was rather perceived as an independent figure and he also always stated to be president to all Bulgarians without any political reference. At that point with the already dissatisfaction with both BSP and SDS, people were looking for new alternatives and new politicians.
The return of Simeon II (2001–2005)
- For more information on the cabinet, see Sakskoburggotski Government.
In 2001,
The Triple Coalition (2005–2009)
- Form more information on the cabinet, see Stanishev Government.
At the next parliamentary elections NDSV didn't reach enough votes to form a government, in fact BSP gained the largest share of the votes, followed by NDSV. And because none of the parties had enough seats in Parliament to establish a government on its own after more than a month of negotiations initiated by President Parvanov for the forming of coalition government that was needed for the EU joining, a coalition was formed between BSP, NDSV and MRF (Movement for Rights and Freedoms). Although divided by deep ideological and political differences, the three parties were united by a major goal: accomplishing the reforms necessary for joining the European Union in 2007. But ineffective administration and high-level corruption remained serious problems that was limiting the entrance of foreign businesses and entrepreneurs in the country. Additionally, Sergei Stanishev's government was caught in his last months by the world financial crisis but denied its existence and refused to initiate steps for protecting Bulgarian economy from it[1]
First cabinet of Boyko Borisov (2009–2013)
- For more information on the cabinet, see First Borisov Government.
In the parliamentary elections in 2009 the center-right party
Plamen Oresharski (2013–2016)
The government of Plamen Oresharski was not well accepted, leading to yearlong protests, ultimately resulting in its downfall in 2016.
.
Second cabinet of Boyko Borisov (2017-2021)
In March 2017, Boyko Borisov was re-elected as Prime Minister of Bulgaria for the second time. Borisov had resigned and called early
In April 2021, Borisov's party won the parliamentary election. It was again the largest party of the parliament, but it did not get the absolute majority, indicating difficult coalition talks.[7] Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, a vocal critic and rival of prime minister Borisov, announced that he will run for a second five-year term of office in presidential elections in autumn 2021.[8]
Borisov's last cabinet saw a dramatic decrease in freedom of the press, and a number of corruption revelations that triggered yet another wave of mass protests in 2020.[9][10] GERB came out first in the regular April 2021 election, but with its weakest result so far.[11]
Stefan Yanev as Interim Prime Minister (2021)
All other parties refused to form a government,
In July 2021 snap
In November 2021, President Rumen Radev was easily re-elected in the
The Quadruple coalition (2021–2022)
The next snap election was in November of the same year. Kiril Petkov's PP party emerged as surprise victors over the conservative GERB party, which had dominated Bulgarian politics in the last nine years. In December 2021, Bulgaria's parliament formally elected Kiril Petkov as the country's next prime minister, ending a months-long political crisis. The new centrist-led government – a coalition led by Petkov's anti-corruption We Continue the Change party (PP) and three other political groups – the left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party, the anti-elite There Is Such A People party, and the liberal group Democratic Bulgaria. They together controlled 134 seats in Bulgaria's 240-seat parliament.[16] The government received a vote of no confidence of 23 June 2022 and submitted its resignation.[17] President Radev appointed Galab Donev as acting prime minister to lead a caretaker cabinet. Bulgaria's fourth parliamentary elections in less than two years were held on 2 October 2022.[18] However, the results of the October 2022 elections did not enable formation of new government.[19]
The rotation government/The (No)coalition (2023-)
In April 2023, because of the political deadlock, Bulgaria held its fifth parliamentary election since April 2023. GERB was the biggest, winning 69 seats. The bloc led by We Continue the Change won 64 seats in the 240-seat parliament. In June 2023, Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov formed a new coalition between We Continue the Change and GERB. According to the coalition agreement, Denkov will lead the government for the first nine months. He will be succeeded by former European Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, of the GERB party. She will take over as Prime Minister after nine months.[20]
Notes
References
- ^ (in Bulgarian) We are stable, ready for everything, there is no crisis // Стабилни сме, готови сме за всичко, криза няма, news.bg, 9 October 2008
- ^ Bulgaria opposition wins election", BBC, 2009-07-06
- ^ Bulgarian Minister Proclaims 'Sweeping' Reforms in Education, Science, Sofia News Agency, 20 September 2010
- ^ Bulgarian FinMin Stresses Fiscal Discipline at Harvard, Promotes Own Brainchild, Sofia News Agency, 2 March 2011
- ^ "Bulgaria's prime minister is out, but austerity remains. What's next?". Yahoo News. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- ^ "Borisov elected Bulgarian PM for a third time | MINA Report". minareport.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017.
- ^ "Bulgaria election: PM Borissov's party wins but falls short of majority | 05.04.2021". Deutsche Welle.
- ^ "Bulgarian president Radev to seek a second term | Macau Business". February 2021.
- ^ "Fresh Protest Wave Gains Momentum in Bulgaria". 10 July 2020.
- ^ "Bulgaria: Anti-government protests continue for a ninth day | 18.07.2020". Deutsche Welle.
- ^ "Bulgaria election: PM Borissov's party wins but falls short of majority | 05.04.2021". Deutsche Welle.
- ^ "Bulgaria faces fresh elections as Socialists refuse to form a government". Reuters. May 2021.
- ^ "Bulgaria's caretaker prime minister says priority is rule of law". Reuters. 12 May 2021.
- ^ "Final Results in Bulgarian Vote Confirm Win for Anti-Elite Party". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 14 July 2021.
- ^ "Radev Re-elected Bulgarian President on Record Low Turnout". Balkan Insight. 22 November 2021.
- ^ "Kiril Petkov chosen by Bulgarian parliament as next prime minister". euronews. 13 December 2021.
- ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Bulgaria government collapses after no-confidence vote | DW | 22.06.2022". Deutsche Welle.
- ^ "Bulgarian President Calls Snap Polls For October 2, Appoints Caretaker Cabinet". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
- ^ Gleichgewicht, Daniel (9 December 2022). "After yet another election, where are you heading Bulgaria?". New Eastern Europe.
- ^ "Bulgaria's parliament elects new government led by PM Denkov". Reuters. 6 June 2023.