Word: zhivkov
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Meanwhile, demonstrations in Bulgaria showed both the importance of updating the Atlantic alliance and the difficulty of drafting plans in the face of swiftly moving events. Continuing its plunge into reform, the Bulgarian Communist Party last week expelled Todor Zhivkov, its leader for 35 years, and announced that free elections would be held in May. When the parliament postponed until January a vote on ending the Communist Party's monopoly of power, 50,000 jeering protesters encircled the parliament building. As Josef Joffe, foreign editor of the Suddeutsche Zeitung, observed, "If only there weren't all these people...
Those countries have in various degreesaccepted the reforms introduced by Soviet leaderMikhail S. Gorbachev. Hard-line leaders whorejected change--Erich Honecker in East Germany,Todor Zhivkov in Bulgaria, and most recently MikosJakes of Czechoslovakia--have been ousted...
...Bulgaria at least 50,000 people marched peacefully through central Sofia, chanting "Democracy!" and "Free elections!" and demanding that Todor Zhivkov, the autocratic hard-liner who had been ousted only a week earlier after 35 years in power, be put on trial. Although the unthinkable has become a daily happening in Eastern Europe, there was still something astonishing in the sight of street demonstrations in this quiescent land. The marches even had the blessing of the week-old reformist government of Petar Mladenov, 53, which has been moving rapidly to harness the country's desire for change. For the first...
Mladenov's ascendancy in Bulgaria was the result of deep interparty wrangling that was fueled by a policy clash over Zhivkov's persecution of the country's large Turkish minority. The racist program raised an international uproar that embarrassed Mladenov, who was then Foreign Minister. Mladenov is believed to have rallied support among the Politburo to stage a civilian coup against Zhivkov. After a decisive vote, the new overlord of Bulgaria quickly adopted the language of reform to rally public support and consolidate power. Despite his stated preference for free elections, Mladenov has said nothing about abandoning the Communists' "leading...
...popular thrill of change may overwhelm even the canniest of political manipulators. Officially sanctioned anti-Zhivkov demonstrations last week were soon overwhelmed by popularly organized protests. For the moment their prime target is the hated Zhivkov, who is widely accused of arrogance, corruption and a czarlike accumulation of personal wealth. Said Slavcho Trenski, a Central Committee member: "Bulgaria became a hunting reserve for the President." Communist leaders may buy time and cheer hearts with a modicum of reform, but it is all too possible that they also could be surprised by the chain reaction that arises from the very exhilaration...