Ivan Kostov
Encyclopedia
Ivan Yordanov Kostov (born 23 December 1949 in Sofia
) was Prime Minister of Bulgaria from May 1997 to July 2001 and leader of the Union of Democratic Forces
(UDF) between December 1994 and July 2001.
Ivan Kostov graduated in Economics
from the Karl Marx Higher Institute of Economics (today's University of National and World Economy
) in Sofia in 1974, and later earned a Ph.D.
in Mathematical Modeling of Economic Processes from Sofia University
. He then worked as an associate professor at Sofia Technical University and entered politics after the collapse of the Berlin Wall
and the fall of the Bulgarian communist dictator, Todor Zhivkov
. Kostov became an economic expert for the Union of Democratic Forces
(UDF). His political career began as Member of Parliament in the 7th Grand National Assembly in 1990 (he has been re-elected to Parliament ever since) and he went on to become Bulgaria
's Finance Minister in the two consecutive governments of Dimitar Popov
(December 1990 – October 1991) and Filip Dimitrov
(November 1991 – December 1992).
Kostov was elected chairman of the UDF in 1994. In late 1996 and early 1997, mass protests took place against Bulgarian Socialist Party
's government which had led the country to hyperinflation and a complete crisis, and those protests ultimately led to the fall of the current government. UDF won the May 1997 elections, and Kostov became Bulgaria's Prime Minister, his cabinet eventually becoming the country's first post-communist government to serve its full 4-year term. He is credited with turning around his country's fortunes, starting sustainable economic growth, and establishing a path towards Bulgaria's complete integration with the West. Under his government, long-delayed economic reforms were carried out, including privatization of state-owned enterprises was carried on a large scale and the country started long-sought accession talks with the European Union
(which Bulgaria joined on January 1, 2007). Additionally, during the war in Kosovo he took some difficult but ultimately beneficial decisions, such as to allow NATO but not Russia
to use Bulgaria's airspace, and also not to allow refugees from Kosovo to enter Bulgaria.
On the other hand, Kostov's rule was characterized by media claims for massive mismanagement and corruption. A number of major soviet era enterprises were sold out apiece under the label of "privatization", and all of them eventually bankrupted. Capital stocks of state companies were deformed by government officials, while their equipment was sold out. An example of such a scheme was the privatization of Balkan Airlines in 1999, the country's national air service, which was sold for $130,000,000 and bankrupted in 2002 after most of its equipment and immovable property was sold out. While successful in stabilizing the country, Bulgaria's current account balance started growing negative. .
Some of Kostov's privatization policies were criticized by his opponents from the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Ultimately the UDF lost in the June 2001 election to the newly formed National Movement Simeon II
. Kostov resigned as chair of the UDF and eventually left the party to establish, in 2004, a new political force, Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria
(DSB).
and the Turkish minority party Movement for Rights and Freedoms
. DSB and UDF participated together in the June/July 2009 elections for European and Bulgarian parliament as The Blue Coalition.
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
) was Prime Minister of Bulgaria from May 1997 to July 2001 and leader of the Union of Democratic Forces
Union of Democratic Forces (Bulgaria)
The Union of Democratic Forces is a political party in Bulgaria, founded in 1989 as a union of several political organizations in opposition to the communist government. In February 1997 the Union was transformed into a single unified party with the same name...
(UDF) between December 1994 and July 2001.
Ivan Kostov graduated in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from the Karl Marx Higher Institute of Economics (today's University of National and World Economy
University of National and World Economy
The University of National and World Economy is a university located in Sofia, Bulgaria.- History :University of National and World Economy is one of the biggest and oldest higher educational institutions of economics in the Republic of Bulgaria and South Eastern Europe with a history of almost...
) in Sofia in 1974, and later earned a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Mathematical Modeling of Economic Processes from Sofia University
Sofia University
The St. Clement of Ohrid University of Sofia or Sofia University is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria, founded on 1 October 1888...
. He then worked as an associate professor at Sofia Technical University and entered politics after the collapse of the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
and the fall of the Bulgarian communist dictator, Todor Zhivkov
Todor Zhivkov
Todor Khristov Zhivkov was a communist politician and leader of the People's Republic of Bulgaria from March 4, 1954 until November 10, 1989....
. Kostov became an economic expert for the Union of Democratic Forces
Union of Democratic Forces (Bulgaria)
The Union of Democratic Forces is a political party in Bulgaria, founded in 1989 as a union of several political organizations in opposition to the communist government. In February 1997 the Union was transformed into a single unified party with the same name...
(UDF). His political career began as Member of Parliament in the 7th Grand National Assembly in 1990 (he has been re-elected to Parliament ever since) and he went on to become Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
's Finance Minister in the two consecutive governments of Dimitar Popov
Dimitar Popov
Dimitar Popov is a former Bulgarian football player in goalkeeper role.In his career Popov played for Levski Sofia, Botev Plovdiv, Spartak Plovdiv, CSKA Sofia, Maritsa Plovdiv, Lokomotiv Sofia, Spartak Varna and El Paso Patriots. For the Bulgaria national football team, he participated at Euro 1996...
(December 1990 – October 1991) and Filip Dimitrov
Filip Dimitrov
Philip Dimitrov Dimitrov is a Bulgarian politician, Prime Minister of Bulgaria for the short period 1991-1992, MP in the 36th , 37th and the 40th National Assembly, and MEP from January 2007 to May 2007....
(November 1991 – December 1992).
Kostov was elected chairman of the UDF in 1994. In late 1996 and early 1997, mass protests took place against Bulgarian Socialist Party
Bulgarian Socialist Party
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is social-democratic political party in Bulgaria and successor to the Bulgarian Communist Party. The BSP is a member of the Party of European Socialists and Socialist International, and is currently led by Sergei Stanishev....
's government which had led the country to hyperinflation and a complete crisis, and those protests ultimately led to the fall of the current government. UDF won the May 1997 elections, and Kostov became Bulgaria's Prime Minister, his cabinet eventually becoming the country's first post-communist government to serve its full 4-year term. He is credited with turning around his country's fortunes, starting sustainable economic growth, and establishing a path towards Bulgaria's complete integration with the West. Under his government, long-delayed economic reforms were carried out, including privatization of state-owned enterprises was carried on a large scale and the country started long-sought accession talks with the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
(which Bulgaria joined on January 1, 2007). Additionally, during the war in Kosovo he took some difficult but ultimately beneficial decisions, such as to allow NATO but not Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
to use Bulgaria's airspace, and also not to allow refugees from Kosovo to enter Bulgaria.
On the other hand, Kostov's rule was characterized by media claims for massive mismanagement and corruption. A number of major soviet era enterprises were sold out apiece under the label of "privatization", and all of them eventually bankrupted. Capital stocks of state companies were deformed by government officials, while their equipment was sold out. An example of such a scheme was the privatization of Balkan Airlines in 1999, the country's national air service, which was sold for $130,000,000 and bankrupted in 2002 after most of its equipment and immovable property was sold out. While successful in stabilizing the country, Bulgaria's current account balance started growing negative. .
Some of Kostov's privatization policies were criticized by his opponents from the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Ultimately the UDF lost in the June 2001 election to the newly formed National Movement Simeon II
National Movement Simeon II
The National Movement for Stability and Progress or Nacionalno dviženie za stabilnost i văzhod), until 3 June 2007 known as the National Movement Simeon II , is a liberal political party in Bulgaria, the vehicle of Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski, the deposed Tsar of Bulgaria and former Prime...
. Kostov resigned as chair of the UDF and eventually left the party to establish, in 2004, a new political force, Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria is a political party in Bulgaria established by former Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov . The motto of the party is "For a Strong Bulgaria in Unified Europe".- History :...
(DSB).
Current Political Position
After reelection within DSB in July 2007 he remains a leader of the party which proves strong rightist opposition against the governing coalition of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, the National Movement Simeon IINational Movement Simeon II
The National Movement for Stability and Progress or Nacionalno dviženie za stabilnost i văzhod), until 3 June 2007 known as the National Movement Simeon II , is a liberal political party in Bulgaria, the vehicle of Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski, the deposed Tsar of Bulgaria and former Prime...
and the Turkish minority party Movement for Rights and Freedoms
Movement for Rights and Freedoms
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms is an ethnic Turkish party in Bulgaria. The MRF is a member of the Liberal International and considers itself a liberal party, rather like the Swedish People's Party - party of the Swedish-speaking minority of Finland...
. DSB and UDF participated together in the June/July 2009 elections for European and Bulgarian parliament as The Blue Coalition.