The Stambolov era in Bulgaria marks the…

The Stambolov era in Bulgaria marks the victory of executive over legislative power in the Bulgarian political system.

Stambolov has stabilized Bulgaria's international position, but his methods, which amount to a virtual dictatorship, have alienated much of the population.

Seven years of iron control by Stambolov and the People's Liberal Party he had founded in 1886 have often bypassed the country's democratic institutions but brought unprecedented stability to Bulgaria.

Russo-Bulgarian relations remain chilly, however, and this break has further destabilized Bulgarian politics and society.

Stambolov's autocratic maneuvering and tough policies have won him many enemies, especially after the stabilization of the early 1890s appears to make such tactics unnecessary.

Legitimacy of the Bulgarian throne remains an important symbolic issue in the early 1890s, and the threat of assassination or overthrow of the prince has remained after Stambolov had consolidated his power.

Stambolov had therefore found a Catholic wife for Ferdinand and maneuvered past Orthodox Church objections in 1893 to ensure Ferdinand an heir that would stabilize the throne.

That heir, Boris, is born in 1894.

In this same year, Ferdinand, seeking more power for himself and believing that Stambolov has become a political liability, unexpectedly makes use of his constitutional right to dismiss Stambolov and replaces him with a Russophile government headed by a Conservative, Konstantin Stoilov.