| Georgi Parvanov Георги Първанов |
|
|---|---|
| President of Bulgaria | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 22 January 2002 |
|
| Prime Minister | Simeon Sakskoburggotski Sergei Stanishev Boyko Borisov |
| Vice President | Angel Marin |
| Preceded by | Petar Stoyanov |
| Succeeded by | Rosen Plevneliev (Elect) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 June 1957 Sirishtnik, Bulgaria |
| Political party | Independent (2002–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Communist Party (1981–1990) Socialist Party (1990–2002) |
| Spouse(s) | Zorka Petrova |
| Alma mater | Sofia University |
| Religion | Bulgarian Orthodoxy |
Georgi Sedefchov Parvanov (Bulgarian: Георги Седефчов Първанов, IPA: [ɡɛˈɔrɡi pɐrˈvanof]) (born June 28, 1957) is a President of Bulgaria, whose second and last mandate expires on January 22, 2012; he was elected after defeating his predecessor Petar Stoyanov in the second round of the presidential elections in November 2001 and he came into office on January 22, 2002. Georgi Parvanov started his second presidential mandate following victory in the 2006 presidential elections. Parvanov supports membership of Bulgaria in NATO and the European Union.
According to Bulgarian law, a Bulgarian president is not allowed to be a member of a political party, thus Parvanov is independent and he left the Socialist Party after his success in the presidential elections, although he identified as a socialist, Parvanov often declares being a 'social president'. After his second mandate Parvanov says he is going to return in BSP beginning a "leadership debate" although he does not prepare himself for party positions. Even though rumours persist that he is going to challenge Sergei Stanishev at his leader's position in BSP and even run for elections for the Prime Minister position.
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Georgi Parvanov was born in the village of Sirishtnik, Pernik Province on June 28, 1957 and he grew up in the nearby village of Kosacha. In 1975 Parvanov graduated the secondary school in Pernik and in 1981 he finished his undergraduate education at the Sofia University, by gaining a major in history, specializing in the history of the Bulgarian Communist Party. In 1988 Parvanov defended his doctoral thesis in history, which is titled "Dimitar Blagoev and the Bulgarian national question 1879-1917".
In 2006 Parvanov admitted that before 1989 there was a file on him at the former Communist Security Service (Darzhavna Sigurnost, or DS) under the nickname Gotse (to the revolutionary Gotse Delchev) for his scientific assistance on Macedonian topics. The file like most other files of the Security Service hasn't been released to the public for a while (now is available online). According to Parvanov's own statement, the file only shows that he had been consulted as a historian in conjunction with the writing of a memoir book about events related to the Macedonian Question in the 19th century.[1] That was confirmed by two members of parliamentary commissions that had examined the files of the Security Service earlier — Bogomil Bonev and Veselin Angelov.[1] Two other members, Metodi Andreev and Evgeni Dimitrov, accused the former of lying and asserted that the historical research had only been a prelude, followed by Parvanov's consent to work as an agent and write a report about his institute.[2] {{verification failed))
In his second election campaign the incumbent Parvanov came first with 64.047%[3] of the first round, much ahead of the ultranationalist leader Volen Siderov with 21.486%[3] and other candidates who scored little. But as Bulgarian law requires a turnout of at least 50% – voter turnout in the first round was 42.51%.[4] – for a president to be elected in the first round, a second round was necessary and Parvanov had to face Siderov in a run-off.
The second round turned out to a decisive victory for Parvanov, who won around 75.9% of the votes as compared to Siderov's 24.1% (with turnout 41.11%),[5] meaning that Parvanov became the first person to be democratically re-elected as President of Bulgaria.[6]
In the second mandate of Georgi Parvanov as a President of Bulgaria, two governments changed - that of Sergei Stanishev and the current one of Boiko Borisov. As for the government of Stanishev Parvanov is often accused of not taking position about important matters, the critics even made Parvanov admit he actually proposed resignation of Stanishev as a PM before the end of Stanishev government's mandate in oder that the Socialist Party has more chances in the following parliamentary elections. At the beginning of coming into office of Borisov' cabinet, Parvanov faced regular argues with Finance Minister Simeon Djankov and later with Minister of Defence Aniu Anev, and indirectly with Minister of Education Sergei Ignatov. Arguments and tapes send to media reached such point that a proposal for impeachment reached in Bulgarian Parliament which had enough signed representers but in the last moment was not voted by the RZS party and thus failed parliamentary approval. Following the attempt for impeachment Parvanov quickly gained back his personal authority.
In summer 2010, Parvanov reached his platform АБВ (ABV) the name constructed by the first three letters in Bulgarian alphabet which he claimed was not a political party neither a preparation for registering such. However he visited many cities and meetings with Mayors which was a sign for a preparation for regional and further parliamentary elections. With the coming-out of the first sociological researches, it became clear ABV will not reach enough votes in the next elections and Parvanov moved his sight back to his first place party BSP. It was also suggested that ABV will move as a part of BSP at some point.
Although the office of the Bulgarian President is largely representative and executive power lies within the government, Georgi Parvanov has played an active political role.
The report of the Special Commission of the United Nations into the misconducts of the Iraqi "Oil for food" suggests that in 1998 Saddam Hussein took bribes from the Bulgarian Socialist Party, then led by Parvanov and companies close to the party. Parvanov denied these allegations explaining that the party's financing was transparent and legitimate.[7] No further evidence to support these claims was found.
Georgi Parvanov initiated the "Bulgarian Christmas" campaign, a funds raised for the treatment of children and renovation of hospitals and health institutions. Bulgarian Christmas is a musical event each year at the time of Christmas in which Bulgarian performers sing their most popular songs in the audience of the President and his wife, and other VIP guests, the event is TV-broadcasted on the national channel BNT and funds are being raised by sms and bank accounts.
Over the years, millions of euro have been donated by private individuals and companies, and Parvanov as closely related to the campaign warrant that the money would be spent as prescribed. [8]
Parvanov is an author of dozens of scientific articles. His monographs and books:
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Petar Stoyanov |
President of Bulgaria 2002–2012 |
Succeeded by Rosen Plevneliev Elect |
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aя:Georgi Pırvanov