site.btaFebruary 4, 1997: National Security Council Decision to Hold Snap Elections Marks Turning Point in Political and Economic Crisis in Bulgaria

On February 4, 1997, Bulgaria's Consultative Council on National Security made a crucial decision to hold early parliamentary elections, marking a turning point in the country’s political and economic crisis.

Throughout late 1996 and early 1997, Bulgaria faced severe economic and political turmoil. The country, then run by a Socialist-led government, was experiencing hyperinflation, food shortages, and mass protests due to the collapsing economy. The crisis led to nationwide protests against the socialist government of Prime Minister Zhan Videnov, who resigned in December 1996 under public and political pressure.

President Petar Stoyanov, who took office on January 22, 1997, faced demands from the opposition and the public for new elections to resolve the crisis.

On February 4, 1997, the Consultative Council on National Security, including President Petar Stoyanov, leaders of political parties, and key officials, met to discuss the situation. The Council decided to hold early parliamentary elections to break the political deadlock and stabilize the country.

In the aftermath of the meeting, a caretaker government was appointed on February 12, 1997, to manage the country until elections were held. The early parliamentary elections took place on April 19, 1997. The opposition Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), led by Ivan Kostov, won a landslide and formed a new government. 

The new government implemented economic reforms, set in place a currency board which stabilized the economy and curbed hyperinflation.

This decision on February 4, 1997, was a turning point in Bulgaria’s transition to democracy and a market economy. It ended the political crisis and set the stage for Bulgaria’s later integration into NATO and the EU.

Following are two stories in BTA's English-language service covering the February 4, 1997 events:

Political Forces Agree on Early Elections in April

Sofia, February 4 (BTA) - After a nearly four-hour meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security at the President's Office, the parliamentary political forces agreed for President Peter Stoyanov to schedule early elections in the second ten days of April. The agreement also provides for each parliamentary force to give up its right to form a new cabinet during the life of the present Parliament and for the parliamentary political forces to harmonize and adopt a declaration on the principles of addressing the crisis. 

According to the official statement, the participants in the Council meeting, in the absence of the outgoing ministers, made the decisions to this effect in the name of national interests and the search for ways to overcome the crisis, being aware of the need to preserve civil peace and diffusing tension.

President Peter Stoyanov expressed to the media his satisfaction with the decision, describing it as "historic".  "We have never been closer to civil conflict," Stoyanov said.  He thanked all parliamentary forces for "reaching the only decision that can alleviate tension in the country."

Thousands of opposition sympathizers rallying for the 30th day Tuesday in support of early elections and against a second cabinet of the Left welcomed the news, chanting "Victory" and "Stoyanov".  Some chanted "Dobrev, We'll Miss You".  Opposition leaders were hugging, some were crying.  The bells of the St Alexander Nevski cathedral, site of the opposition rallies in the last month, were ringing; a bottle of champagne was popped open.  "You should be here to see people celebrate," said a national radio reporter from the scene.

The barricades should be removed and the protests discontinued, said Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) floor leader Yordan Sokolov.

UDF leader Ivan Kostov informed the multitude about the Council decisions.  He expressed gratitude, first to President Peter Stoyanov, and then to all participants in the protests and the national strike, to the students and the young people.  His words were interrupted by cries of "Heroes".

The rally was addressed by President Peter Stoyanov, with the multitude chanting his name.  "There are many difficult days ahead. I cannot promise that you'll be richer and live better during the life of the caretaker cabinet.  I can only promise I will be honest and always tell the truth. Thank you," Stoyanov said. 

President Stoyanov on Decision for Early General Election

Sofia, February 4 (BTA) - A necessary decision which puts an end to the political crisis and sets the foundation for reaching a minimum consensus on the national priority, President Peter Stoyanov said on Tuesday, commenting the agreement among the parliamentary political forces on early general election in April this year and on drafting a programme to lead Bulgaria out of the crisis.  Signing the agreement, the Left, which holds a majority in the incumbent Parliament, practically declined to form a second Socialist cabinet.

"My optimism stems from the fact that as a result of the elections and the firm belief that only implementing structural reforms, rehabilitating the financial system, introducing a currency board and reaching a minimum consensus among the political forces, will Bulgaria embark on the right way," Stoyanov told the media after the meeting of the Consultative Council on National Security during which the parties reached the agreement.

Stoyanov said that "the illusion factory in Bulgaria must be closed".  "We cannot expect that the deep economic crisis in Bulgaria can be resolved in two, three or five months.  I cannot and have never promised that living conditions in Bulgaria will improve in the short term.  We are faced with many, many difficulties created by the governance so far",  Stoyanov said.

The President said he feared that growing tension in the country over the past few days could have had unpredictable consequences, "which would have left a strong imprint on the Bulgarian society and hinder the implementation of measures to lead Bulgaria out of the economic and political crisis and discredit this country". "This is why I offer my gratitude to the parliamentary forces for agreeing on the most important thing - to hold early general election in the second week of April, and that all agreed not to form a cabinet,"  Stoyanov said.  He added that he insisted before the politicians to make such a decision "as the only possible option so as to avoid civil conflict and defuse public tension".

"I am aware of the big responsibility I have to assume as the person who must appoint a caretaker cabinet," Stoyanov said.  "We can be assured by one thing only - that this is the right path and, once we have embarked on it, making much effort and maybe more sacrifices, we will at last reach the model which we call a model of European civilization, will implement Bulgaria's key priority, namely politically independent and economically strong Bulgaria, integrated into united Europe," Stoyanov concluded.