Todor zhivkov biography definition

 

Todor Khristov Zhivkov (Bulgarian: Тодор Христов Живков; 7 September 1911 – 5 August 1998) was a Bulgarian communist statesman who, as General Secretary of the Bulgarian Communist Party (1951-1989), Prime Minister (1962-1971) and Chairman of the Council of State (1978-1989), served as the de facto leader of the People's Republic of Bulgaria  from 1954 until 1989.  His rule marked a period of political and economic stability for Bulgaria, but also of complete submission of Bulgaria to Soviet directives.

Zhivkov's rule remained effectively unchallenged until the deterioration of east–west relations in the 1980s, when a stagnating economic situation, a worsening international image and growing careerism and corruption in the BCP weakened his position.  In 1984 he initiated 'assimilation' of Bulgaria's Turkish minority, wh