BULGARIA
Before The Fall
In May 1989, the Independent Association for the Defence of Human Rights in Bulgaria held widespread strikes and demonstrations opposing the anti-Turkish policies of the Bulgarian government. In the summer 300,000 Turks left for Turkey causing an image problem for the Communist Party. Its leader, Zhivkhov, was removed from power in November 1989. Almost immediately, the new regime released political prisoners and allowed non-communist parties to form. By early 1990, the Communist Party constitutionally was no longer guaranteed the leading role in the state. By March 1990, the round table discussions decided elections would be held in June. The Communist Party, now called the Bulgarian Socialist Party, won a majority. However, there was much opposition towards this government in the form of student protests and strikes organized by trade unions. In July 1991, a new constitution was drafted and the October elections put the power in the hands of a coalition led by the Union of Democratic Forces. (Crampton, 1997, 395-397)
After The Fall
Early reforms saw the return of property taken by communists and the introduction of land privatization, but otherwise, progress in the period was slow. One barrier to this government was that the anti-communist alliance was rapidly diminishing in strength. The next government, which took power at the end of 1992 also put forth little progress. Its problem was that the president's position was not secure because he did not have a proper mandate. In December 1994, elections were held and the BSP, like it had in 1991, won a majority. This government was as ineffective as the previous regimes. During this period the Bulgarian state was on the verge of an economic collapse as confidence had been lost in its banks and its currency. The BSP lost the presidency to the UDF following an election in Fall 1996 (Crampton, 1997, 435-437)
