Tsar Boris seeks to strengthen his position with both the first parliamentary elections in 7 years and the long-awaited birth of an heir.

Major Characters in this Episode:

Tsar Boris III

Dimitar Gichev

Alexander Tsankov

General Mikhail Yovov

Timeline

• 1936, During the year - VMRO activists led by Dimitar Gyuzelev found the Macedonian People’s Movement to fight for democratic rule in Yugoslavia and for self-determination for Bulgarians in Macedonia.

• Late 1936 - early 1937 - Tsar Boris travels abroad to gauge the political situation.

• 1937, Jan 24th - A friendship treaty is signed between Bulgaria and Yugoslavia

• 1937, Jan 27-28th - Krastyo Rakovski is arrested in Moscow on charges of participating in a counter-revolutionary terrorist organization.

• 1937, Late Jan - The “Five” created an agreement on joint participation in municipal elections between them, the democratic party, and the Pladne Agrarians, as well as with support of the Communists.

• 1937, Jan-Apr - A campaign to collect signatures in support of the “People’s Demand” and the creation of a constitutional committee is undertaken.

• 1937, Mar 7-28th - Municipal elections to fill the municipal councils occur without political parties. The opposition parties boycott these elections which are subsequently won by the government.

• 1937, May 3rd - A group of young Bulgarian Muslims in Smolyan found the Bulgarian Muslim Cultural-Educational and Charitable Friendship organization “Rodina.”

• 1937, May 4th - A decree-law is passed forbidding Bulgarian citizens from participating in the Spanish Civil War.

• 1937, May 23-4th and Jun 5-6th - Two illegal conferences are held by Tsankov’s National Social Movement.

• 1937, Mar 25th - Italy and Yugoslavia sign a treaty of non-aggression and friendship.

• 1937, Jun 9-11th - Baron von Neurath visits Sofia to improve Bulgarian-German political relations.

• 1937, Jun 16th - Boris III and Giovanna have a son named Simeon, finally ensuring an heir to the throne.

• 1937, Jun 20-21st - An illegal conference is held by the Vitosha Conference of the Worker’s Party in which they decide to act with the broader opposition to the government.

• 1937, Jun 23rd - In connection with the birth of the crown prince a general political amnesty is granted for sentences up to 3 years and a reduction in longer sentences.

• 1937, Jul 4-5th - Bulgarians from all over Romania gather for a conference in Bucharest which creates a Bulgarian minority party.

• 1937, Jul - An illegal conference is held by the Democratic Party in Sofia which confirms their participation in the struggle to return parliamentary democracy.

• 1937, Jul - A new law on the Police is passed which expands its powers.

• 1937, Aug - After a month-long tour around Europe, Dimitar Gichev is arrested and interned upon arriving at Sofia’s train station. All banned political parties organize a campaign to release all of their interned activists, with most being released in early September as a result.

• 1937, Late Sep - Early Oct - The first Bulgarian military maneuvers since the end of WWI are held near Popovo.

• 1937, Oct 12th - 26 opposition leaders from all major political parties submit a letter to the Tsar demanding the resumption of political life in the country.

• 1937, Oct 22nd - The first parliamentary elections since the coup of May 19th, 1934 are scheduled for March of 1938. Women are given the right to vote (partially) for the first time.

• 1937, Nov 28th - The Union of Front Fighters is established with General Mikhail Yovov as chairman.

• 1937, Late Nov - A united front of all parties (Except Tsankov’s NSD) called the Constitutional Block (AKA Democratic Union) is established in Rousse.

• 1937, Dec 11th - Italy withdraws from the League of Nations.

• 1937, The “Warriors for the Progress of Bulgaria” a nationalistic and racist organization is founded.

• 1937 - Construction of Sofia’s airport begins (Terminal 1 will open in 1939)

• 1938, Jan - Court cases are held against the leaders of banned parties.

• 1938, Feb 10th - King Carol of Romania takes dictatorial powers.

• 1938, Mar 2-13th - Trial against the right-Trotskyist bloc is held in Moscow. Krustyo Rakovski is sentenced to 20 years in prison.

• 1938, Mar - Elections are held under the new electoral law and without the participation of the banned parties. The ruling party gains 27% of the vote, the opposition 14%, and 58% for ‘unelected candidates.’ The new National Assembly has 93 pro-government members and 67 opposition members.

Sources:

• История на България в Дати by Vasil Katsunov, Plamen Mitev, Valeri Kolev, Evgenia Kalinova, and Iskra Baeva

• The Rose of the Balkans by Ivan Ilchev

• Crown of Thorns by Stephane Groueff

• A Concise History of Bulgaria by R.J. Crampton

• History of the Balkans: Twentieth Century by Barbara Jelavich

• Bulgaria 1879-1946: The Challenge of Choice by Tatiana Kostadinova

• Yugoslav Communism and the Macedonian Question by Stephen E. Palmer Jr. and Robert R. King