Stefan Stambolov

Early years

Political career

Stambolov was involved in political discussions as early as the time of the first Bulgarian parliament: the "Founding Assembly" of 1879. After 1880 he became the vice-chairman and later the chairman of the Narodno Subranie (the Bulgarian parliament). In 1885, he helped bring about the union of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. On , officers aligned with Russia overthrew Prince Alexander in a coup d'état. Stambolov led a counter-coup on 28 August which removed the provisional government, and he assumed the position of regent. Russian hostility, however, barred the restoration of Alexander, who abdicated on 8 September.

Regency

At the age of 32, Stambolov found himself in the highly unusual position of being simultaneously a government minister, president, and regent for an absent monarch. Stambolov's style of governing during his regency was observed as being increasingly authoritarian. But this was, to some extent, a reaction to the grave difficulties arising from his peculiar position. Indeed, the regency has been described as marking the beginning of the tragic years of Stambolov's life.

According to a close friend, Stambolov was "almost inclined to resign the honours [of serving as regent], together with the dangers of his position, and retire to his beloved Turnovo." But he stayed on, recognizing that there was no other suitable candidate, and that if he did not lead, then Bulgaria's sovereignty would likely be lost.

Through Stambolov's efforts, a successor to Alexander was found in Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who was proclaimed Knyaz ("Ruling Prince") of autonomous Bulgaria on 7 July 1887 and crowned on 14 August 1887. However, it is known that Stambolov initially supported Carol I of Romania and that he intended to establish a union with the country. Russian opposition forced Carol I to reject the offer. Stambolov also requested to the Ottoman Empire a dual Bulgarian-Turkish state.

Prime minister

With Ferdinand's accession to the throne, Stambolov retired as regent, and became Prime Minister. He served for seven years (1887–1894).

Stambolov was a nationalist; as a politician, he strengthened the country's diplomacy, its economy, and the general political power of the state.

In 1891, he was targeted by some members of SMAC for his authoritarian methods and support for the Ottoman Empire. Naum Tyufekchiev, his two brothers and Dimitar Rizov tried to kill him. The attempt failed, but managed to kill the Minister of Finance, Hristo Belchev. The brother of Naum Tyufekchiev, Dencho was captured, tortured, and died in custody, but Naum managed to escape to Serbia and then to Odesa. He was sentenced to death in absentia.

He confronted Knyaz Ferdinand, and blocked his schemes to usurp additional authority. This caused him a lot of stress, and he became distant from his friends, and suspicious of all around him. The public came to dislike him, as he took increasingly drastic measures against his enemies. He survived an assassination attempt unharmed, but responded by having many people he suspected of taking part imprisoned and treated brutally.

By 1894 the prolonged stress from all sides had taken its toll, and Stambolov resigned, which was happily accepted by Ferdinand.

Death

An assassination attempt aimed at him occurred in the center of Sofia, on the 15th of July.

While on the way to a club near his home, he was ambushed by four people. He was knocked to the ground and viciously beaten, resulting in his entire face being slashed, both of his arms almost completely severed, and his right eye gouged out.

Even though he managed to survive this attack, he was left gravely injured and needed to be hospitalized. Although he experienced a slight improvement in his condition on the 16th, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries three days later, on the 18th.

Honours

Stambolov Crag on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, is named after him.

Stambolov is portrayed on the obverse of the Bulgarian 20 levs banknote, issued in 1999, 2007 and 2020.

References

Bibliography

References

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