Today, at 79 years of age, first democratically elected President of Bulgaria, Dr. Zhelyu Zhelev, passed away, announced the press secretariat of the presidential office, reports agency BTA.
Zhelev was born on 3rd of March 3 1935 in the village Veselinovo, near Shumen. He completed his secondary education in high school in Shumen, and in 1958 he graduated from philosophy at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.
Philosopher, dissident, politician and statesman, Dr. Zhelyu Zhelev was the initiator and one of the founders of the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) in December 1989.
After the first multiparty elections in Bulgaria, in June 1990, Zhelev becomes chairman of the parliamentary group of the UDF, and on 1st of August of the same year, he was appointed head of state by the National Assembly of Bulgaria. On 19th of January the following year, in accordance with the new Constitution of Bulgaria, he was reelected for the same function on the first democratic elections in the country.
Since 1993, Zhelev is a member of the Liberal International, and up to 1997, he is the honorary president of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Dr. Zhelyu Zhelev was president of the foundation that bears his name, member, founder and president of the Balkan Political Club. He was a winner of the highest state recognition of Bulgaria, order “Stara Planina” – first degree, as well as many other academic and state awards.
Zhelyu Zhelev was a great friend of Macedonia. During his presidency, Bulgaria first recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name on 15th of January 1992. Zhelev was awarded the Order “8th of September,” which was awarded to him by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorgje Ivanov.
