Continuing to scrutinize the Bulgarian political scene after the elections of 18 November 1945, British representatives in Sofia were especially interested in the balance of forces in the government and the relations between the parties within the ruling Fatherland Front. Details assumed great importance as foreign observers found it increasingly difficult to follow the trends inside the Bulgarian government due to the growing hostility of the Communists to contacts with Western representatives.

The electoral results provided the Fatherland Front government with a certain degree of legitimacy as well as stabilized the position of the Communist Party. While the Soviet Union had restored full diplomatic relations on 14 August 1945, Bulgaria still needed to secure recognition from Great Britain and the United States, which would bestow upon the Bulgarian regime the moral privilege of acceptance in the international community. It would also allow Bulgaria to resume normal international trade which was crucial for the country's postwar reconstruction and internal consolidation.

The Soviet Union too had a stake in both the moral and economic aspects of the recognition of the Bulgarian government. The resumption of normal relations with the Western democracies, therefore, could be interpreted by friends and foes of Communism alike as acquiescence in the exclusive Soviet influence over Bulgaria. Since it was suspected that Soviet activity in Bulgaria formed a part of the larger pattern of establishment of Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe, Britain's attitude to the country had to be consistent with overall British policy to the Soviet zone.