Dragan Tsankov

Alexander opposes the liberal wing in Bulgaria and the Turnovo constitution from the beginning of his reign.

After two years of conflict with the liberal council of ministers headed by Dragan Tsankov, Alexander receives Russian backing to replace Tsankov.

When the Russian Tsar Alexander II is assassinated, Russian policy changes to allow a grand national assembly to consider the constitutional changes desired by Prince Alexander.

The assassination spurs conservatism in Russia, and the Bulgarian liberals have alarmed the Russians by refusing foreign economic aid in the early 1880s.

To the dismay of the liberals, Russia intervenes in the election of the constitutional subranie, frightening voters into electing a group that passes the entire package of amendments.

Liberal influence is sharply reduced by amendments limiting the power of the subranie, but, because the conservative approach to governing Bulgaria has little popular support, Alexander makes a series of compromises with liberal positions between 1881 and 1885.

The Turnovo constitution is essentially restored by agreement between Tsankov and the conservatives in 1883, and the constitutional issue is resolved.

In only the first two years of Bulgaria's existence, two parliaments and seven cabinets have been dissolved, but more stable times lie ahead.

Prince Alexander first forms a Conservative ministry, but he is forced by popular agitation to form a Liberal government under Tsankov, who is appointed as Prime Minister on April 7, 1880, with plans for a wide-ranging raft of reforms, including the establishment of a militia, limited rights for Muslims, and attempts to limit the power of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

These alarm the prince, who fears the possibility of a liberal revolution.

A series of foreign policy errors involving relations with Austria-Hungary follow (largely caused by the lack of communication between Tsankov and the Tsar).

Tsankov's government undertakes the construction of judicial and state apparatuses and ends the depredations of brigands who had remained active in the mountains after the war.

But when the Liberals show, in the eyes of the prince, insufficient respect for the institution of monarchy and engage in a campaign to diminish Russian influence, Alexander, with Russian backing, dismisses them in favor of a Conservative government led by General Casimir Erenroth, a Finn in Russian service, who had earlier been charged with setting up the Bulgarian army.

Russian policy is changed, after Tsar Alexander II is assassinated in March 1881, to allow a grand national assembly to consider the constitutional changes desired by Bulgaria’s Prince Alexander.

The assassination has spurred conservatism in Russia, and the Bulgarian liberals have alarmed the Russians by refusing foreign economic aid.

To the dismay of the liberals, Russia intervenes in the election of the constitutional subranie, frightening voters into electing a group that passes the entire package of amendments.

Liberal influence is sharply reduced by amendments limiting the power of the subranie.

Casimir Erenroth, a Finn in Russian service who had earlier been charged with setting up the Bulgarian army, uses the Grand National Assembly, selected by rigged elections, to suspend the constitution and invest the prince with absolute powers for seven years.

Bulgaria experiences a period of dictatorship under the Conservatives and the Russian generals Leonid N. Sobolev and Alexander V. Kaulbars.

Prince Alexander, however, soon finds it more difficult to deal with his Russian allies than their Liberal predecessors.

Because the conservative approach to governing Bulgaria has little popular support, Alexander in September 1883 compromises with his opponents, dismisses the Russians, essentially restores the constitution by agreement between Tsankov and the Conservatives, and accepts a Conservative-Liberal coalition government.

In only the first two years of Bulgaria's existence, two parliaments and seven cabinets have been dissolved, but more stable times lie ahead.

An entirely Liberal government under Petko Karavelov, the brother of brother of revolutionary leader Liuben Karavelo, soon supplants the coalition government.