Podcast in English
Audio Player
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

Cheesefare Sunday prepares the faithful for Great Lent and repentance

Today is Cheesefare Sunday. According to Orthodox tradition, this day is observed on the eve of Great Lent, when Christians seek and give forgiveness to each other . It is also known as Sirni Zagovezni because it marks the last day before Lent, when..

published on 3/2/25 7:15 AM
Priest Lyubomir Bratoev

Priest Lyubomir Bratoev in Berlin: The first liturgies in Bulgarian were served at the embassy building

Priest Lyubomir Bratoev is a direct participant in the events of t he founding of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church community in Berlin . He came to the capital of East Germany in the late 1980s as a doctoral student. And, like a typical Orthodox Christian..

published on 2/26/25 8:15 AM

The Church of St. John of Rila – a piece of Bulgaria in London

After nearly 35 years, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Community in London has its own church in the central part of the British capital, in close proximity to the Bulgarian Embassy. There, in the prestigious Kensington district, next to Hyde Park and..

published on 2/24/25 3:05 PM