Bulgaria

This chapter covers the fall of communism in Bulgaria. Bulgaria was historically the most pro-Russian, thus also pro-Soviet, country in the region. Its leader Todor Zhivkov tried to play that card as long as possible; however, he saw the danger inherent in the idea of perestroika. He tried to forestall changes by playing the national card—the expulsion of the Turks became one of the most tragic chapters of Bulgarian history. He was overthrown by another faction of communists, who accepted the change of the regime, the introduction of a multi-party system and market economy.