Zhan Videnov

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Zhan Vasilev Videnov (Bulgarian: Жан Василев Виденов) (born March 22, 1959) was the Prime Minister of Bulgaria from January 25, 1995 until February 13, 1997. Zhan Videnov undergraduated from the Plovdiv English Language School (ELS). He graduated in Foreign Economic Relations in Moscow. He was chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) from 1991 to 1996.

The politics of Videnov's cabinet are majorly responsible for the severe economic crisis Bulgaria went through between 1995 and 1996. During that period, the standard of living fell drastically and the leaders of notorious crime groups like "777", "VIS - 2", "SIC" and "Multigroup" practically reigned the country. At the same time more than hundred thousand young Bulgarians fled the country in a desperate attempt to find better living abroad. The crisis escalated in the winter of 1996 when food and energy supplies decreased and this resulted in a series of nation-wide riots and strikes, and eventually brought the fall of Videnov's cabinet in February 1997. Hyperinflation was also observed when the rate of the bulgarian lev went down from 60 for $1 to 3000 for $1. Even though extensive evidence exists supporting the mishandlings of Videnov and other members of his cabinet, no judicial prosecution has followed.

Zhan Videnov is married and has one son. He speaks English, French, Russian and Arabic. Now he teaches at a private college in Bulgaria.