Bulgaria has been one of the least studied countries of postcommunist Eastern Europe in part owing to its comparative political stability. This chapter analyzes its political, economic, and military–security developments since the 1989 replacement of Todor Zhivkov, the longest-serving communist leader in Eastern Europe. In keeping with the structure of the foregoing country chapters, in Part I I review Bulgaria's democratization process, its economic performance, and security situation. Part II examines Bulgarian foreign policy since 1989 and the country's campaign for NATO membership. Part III concentrates on matters pertaining to civil–military relations. In the concluding portion of the chapter the discussion focuses on military reform and the state of the Bulgarian armed forces.

PART I. DOMESTIC POLITICS, ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, SECURITY STATUS

Domestic Politics

The subtitle of a study on Bulgaria, “7 Lost Years,” suggests an accurate assessment of the country's political and economic development in the 1990–1997 period, marked by the consistent failure of Bulgarian governments to embark on radical economic reforms and foreign policy reorientation. During these years four different governments not only wasted their chances to improve the conditions of their fellow citizens but, in fact, exacerbated their problems. I think of them as “four false tries,” abortive attempts toward substantive reform.

Unlike in the other states discussed in this book, the communist regime fell in Bulgaria as a result of a palace coup of sorts in November 1989. Long-serving ministers Petûr Mladenov (foreign affairs) and Dobri Dzhurov (defense) – having secured the blessing of Mikhail Gorbachev – persuaded Todor Zhivkov to “voluntarily” tender his resignation.