Famous Bulgarian Prime Ministers

Boyko Borisov is a Bulgarian politician best known for his service as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria. He has served three terms as the prime minister between 2009 and 2021. An important politician, Borisov also served as the Mayor of Sofia from 10 November 2005 to 27 July 2009.

Georgi Dimitrov was the first communist head of Bulgaria, serving as its prime minister after World War II. Starting as a trade union leader, he later played a key role in forming the Bulgarian Communist Party. He also won against Hitler, with his defense against the Reichstag fire accusations against him.

Aleksandŭr Stamboliyski was a Bulgarian politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 14 October 1919 to 9 June 1923. He was ousted from his position in a coup d'état and was subsequently tortured and killed on 14 June 1923.

Stefan Stambolov was a Bulgarian journalist, revolutionary, politician, and poet who served as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 1 September 1887 to 31 May 1894. Counted among the most popular and prominent founders of modern Bulgaria, Stambolov played a key role during the Balkan Wars; he helped initiate the cultural and economic progress in Bulgaria.

Regarded as one of the most successful Bulgarian prime ministers, Sergey Stanishev has also served the Party of European Socialists as its president. Known for his 13-year stint as the Bulgarian Socialist Party leader, he also holds a PhD in history and has been an international relations visiting fellow at LSE.

Aleksandar Tsankov was a Bulgarian politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 9 June 1923 to 4 January 1926. One of the most important Bulgarian politicians during the interwar period, Tsankov also served as the Prime Minister of the Bulgarian National Government-in-exile from 16 September 1944 to 10 May 1945.

Born to Bulgarian communists in Russia, Andrey Lukanov had also seen his father become Bulgaria’s foreign minister. Andrey had been part of the communist and socialist parties and rose to become the country’s prime minister. He was shot dead outside his apartment, by an unknown gunman who was not captured.

Andrei Liapchev served as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 4 January 1926 to 29 June 1931. He is remembered for signing the 1908 treaty which ensured Bulgarian independence. After World War I, Andrei Liapchev was elected as the Minister of War, becoming the first civilian to hold the office.

Ivan Evstatiev Geshov served as the 18th Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 29 March 1911 to 14 June 1913. He was also recognized as one of Bulgaria's leading economic minds, enabling him to serve as Finance Minister of the country on several occasions.