Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria marks 35 years since the fall of communism

Todor Zhivkov
Photo: BTA

On November 10, 1989, a plenum of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party ousted its General Secretary and Chairman of the State Council, Todor Zhivkov. This marked the symbolic beginning of the transition from a one-party system to democracy and a market economy. The democratically elected President Zhelyu Zhelev (1990–1997) described the removal of the communist dictator from power as a "coup."

The first major rally, organized by the Confederation of Labor "Podkrepa" and "Ecoglasnost," took place on November 18, 1989, in the square in front of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia. A month later, the opposition political formation Union of Democratic Forces was established. According to historians, the beginning of the transition should be considered January 19, 1990, when Article 1 of the Constitution, which granted the Bulgarian Communist Party a leading role, was abrogated.

In 2000, the National Assembly adopted a law declaring the communist regime criminal.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

147 years since the liberation of Sofia

The fighting for Sofia within the framework of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) began on December 25, 1877. On January 3, 1878, the city's commandant Osman Nuri Pasha began to withdraw from Sofia.  His plans to set the city on fire were thwarted..

published on 1/4/25 6:30 AM

Regional History Museum - Sofia presents video stories of iconic buildings

In its latest digital section “Buildings Tell a Story”, the Regional History Museum – Sofia presents the stories of iconic buildings in the center of the Bulgarian capital city, as well as of the people who once lived in them. The video initiative..

published on 12/28/24 7:20 AM
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary cathedral in Sofia, part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church

Supreme Court of Cassation rules that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered

T he Supreme Court of Cassation has given final judgement that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered in the register of religious denominations. This isthe first time a second Orthodox church will be registered, the..

published on 12/27/24 9:32 AM