site.btaFormer President Zhelyo Zhelev Dies

Former President Zhelyo Zhelev Dies


Sofia, January 30 (BTA) - Dr Zhelyo Zhelev, 79, president of
Bulgaria from 1990 to 1997, has died unexpectedly, the press
secretariat of the head of State said Friday.

Dr Zhelev was a philosopher, a prominent dissident, a public
figure and a statesman. He co-founded the Club Supporting
Glasnost and Perestroika and the Union of Democratic Forces
(December 1989), whose parliamentary group he later chaired
(June 1990). He was elected president of Bulgaria by the Grand
National Assembly on August 1, 1990, and on January 19, 1992 he
was re-elected to the post in the first direct presidential
elections in Bulgaria.

He has been patron of the Liberal International since 1993 and
honorary chair of the Liberal Democratic Alternative party since
1997. He was also president of the Dr Zhelyo Zhelev Foundation
and founder, member and president of the Balkan Political Club.

Zhelev has received the highest state distinction, the Order of
the Balkan Range, First Class, as well as many academic and
state awards, the press release reads.