Stambolov, Stefan

(also Stefan Stambulov). Born Jan. 31, 1854, in Veliko Turnovo; died July 6, 1895, in Sofia. Bulgarian political and state figure.

In his youth, Stambolov took part in the struggle for the liberation of Bulgaria from the Turkish yoke. In 1884 and 1885 he was chairman of the National Assembly, and in 1886 he joined the government of P. Karavelov. After the German prince Alexander of Battenberg abdicated in August 1886, Stambolov headed the regency council. In 1886 and 1887 he was leader of the National Party, also known as the Stambolovists. From 1887 to 1894 he was head of the government.

Stambolov established a regime of dictatorship and police terror in Bulgaria and favored Austria-Hungary and Germany in his foreign policy. In May 1894, under pressure from broad strata of the Bulgarian people, he was removed as prime minister. He joined the opposition against Prince Ferdinand I of Saxe-Coburg and was assassinated by agents of the princely court.