Bulgaria: a stop-go modernization

Abstract

The collapse of the communist system in Bulgaria was as spectacular as elsewhere and took place at virtually the same time. Symbolically, the resignation of Todor Zhivkov, Europe’s longest-serving dictator (in situ since 1953), exactly coincided with the demolition of the Berlin Wall. Vigorous reforming governments in 1991 and 1992 ignited a reform package no less dramatic than the Polish ‘shock therapy’. But by 1993–95, as differences between the different former ‘socialist countries’ appeared, Bulgaria slid back into the ranks of slow developers. Reform sagged and at the end of 1994 the ex-communist Bulgarian Socialist Party — the least reformed of its kind between the Oder and the Dniester — returned to power on a platform of a further slowing down of the transition process and a recovery of some aspects of the totalitarian system. In the meantime, however, strong indicators had appeared that the agenda of the transition had become part of society’s life at the everyday level in spite of weaknesses at the level of the decision makers. By mid-1996, as the economy slumped dramatically, the banking system suffered a series of collapses, the currency slumped and shortages appeared, it had become clear that the Socialists’ attempt to turn the clock back had failed. A national protest movement led to the resignation of the Socialist Cabinet at the end of 1996, and to the dissolution of parliament by March 1997, with new elections — expected to mark the demise of the ex-communists as a major force — called for April.