Zhelyu Mitev Zhelev

In memoriam

1st President of Bulgaria. He served from January 22, 1992 to January 22, 1997 as the President of Bulgaria. He also serves as 2nd Chairman (President) of Bulgaria from November 10, 1989 to January 22, 1992. Prior to becoming president, he earned a degree from the Sofia University in 1958 and earned a Ph.D. in 1974. He was a member of the Bulgarian Communist Party, but was expelled from it for political reasons in 1965 being labelled a dissident. In 1988, about the time Communism lost control, he became Chairman of the Coordinating Council of the Union of Democratic Forces. He was then elected to parliament and then named president. With a new constitution, he was then directly elected by the people as the first first head of state in 44 years who was not either a Communist or sympathizer. He is best remembered for bringing Bulgaria back as a free and democratic European nation. After losing the 1996 election, he remained in politics but kept a relatively low profile. He founded the Balkan Political Club, an informal caucus of former heads of state who suggested strategies for the development of the region.

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