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Georgi Parvanov
Георги Първанов
Georgi Parvanov Senate of Poland 01.jpg
Parvanov in 2008
3rd President of Bulgaria
In office
22 January 2002 – 22 January 2012
Prime Minister
Vice President Angel Marin
Preceded by Petar Stoyanov
Succeeded by Rosen Plevneliev
Leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party
In office
21 December 1996 – 5 December 2001
Preceded by Zhan Videnov
Succeeded by Sergey Stanishev
Member of the National Assembly
In office
12 January 1995 – 29 November 2001
Constituency 2nd MMC - Burgas
Personal details
Born (1957-06-28) 28 June 1957 (age 68)
Sirishtnik, Bulgaria
Political party Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (2014–present)
Other political
affiliations
Spouse
Zorka Parvanova
(m. 1983)
Children Vladimir, Ivaylo
Alma mater Sofia University
Awards Order of the Southern Cross
Signature

Georgi Sedefchov Parvanov was the President of Bulgaria from 2002 to 2012. He was born on June 28, 1957. He is a historian and a politician. He was the first Bulgarian president to serve two full terms. During his time as president, he supported Bulgaria joining important groups like NATO and the European Union.

When someone becomes president in Bulgaria, they are not allowed to be a member of a political party. So, after he was elected in 2001, Mr. Parvanov left the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). Even though he was a socialist, he often called himself a 'social president'.

After his second term as president ended, Mr. Parvanov returned to the Socialist Party. Later, in 2014, he started a new political project called Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (ABV). He stepped down as the leader of ABV in 2017.

Georgi Parvanov: Bulgaria's Former President

Early Life and Education

Georgi Parvanov was born in a place called Sirishtnik, in Pernik Province, Bulgaria, on June 28, 1957. He grew up in a nearby village named Kosacha.

In 1975, he finished high school in Pernik. Then, in 1981, he graduated from Sofia University. He studied history and focused on the history of the Bulgarian Communist Party. In 1988, he earned his doctorate in history. His research was about a historical figure named Dimitar Blagoev.

Starting His Political Journey

Mr. Parvanov began his career as a researcher at the Institute for History of the Bulgarian Communist Party in 1981. He was very interested in Bulgarian national issues and the early history of social democracy in Bulgaria.

In 1981, he joined the Bulgarian Communist Party. This party later changed its name to the Bulgarian Socialist Party in 1990. In 1994, he became a leader in the BSP. That same year, he was elected to the National Assembly, which is like Bulgaria's parliament. He was reelected in 1997 and 2001.

From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Parvanov was the chairman of a group in parliament that worked on friendship with Greece. He was also a member of the committee for radio and television.

Becoming President of Bulgaria

In December 1996, the Prime Minister and leader of the BSP, Zhan Videnov, resigned because of a big financial crisis in Bulgaria. Georgi Parvanov was chosen to take his place as party leader.

In 2000, Mr. Parvanov was reelected as the Chairman of the BSP. He helped change the party's direction, which made it possible for Bulgaria to join NATO in 2004.

First Presidential Term (2002-2007)

ParvanovG
September 2002

In the 2001 presidential election, Georgi Parvanov won the first round with 36.4% of the votes. He was ahead of the current president, Petar Stoyanov. In the second round, Mr. Parvanov won with 54.1% of the votes.

He officially became president on January 22, 2002. After his victory, Sergei Stanishev took over as the leader of the Socialist Party. Mr. Parvanov was the first former Communist to become president since 1990.

Re-election and Second Term (2007-2012)

In 2006, Mr. Parvanov ran for president again. He won the first round on October 22 with 64% of the votes. Because not enough people voted in the first round, he had to go to a second round against another candidate, Volen Siderov.

On October 29, Mr. Parvanov won the second round with 76% of the votes. This made him the first president in Bulgaria to be reelected for a second term.

Parvanov-Bush
President George W. Bush and President Georgi Parvanov shake hands, 11 June 2007, in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Vladimir Putin in Bulgaria 17-18 January 2008-12
Parvanov with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sofia, 18 January 2008
Georgi Parvanov with CFK
Parvanov meeting with President of Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, on 11 November 2008
Συνάντηση με τον Πρόεδρο της Δημοκρατίας της Βουλγαρίας, Georgi Parvanov (4155366782)
Parvanov with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, on 25 November 2009

During his second term, two different governments were in power: one led by Sergei Stanishev and another by Boyko Borisov. Mr. Parvanov often had disagreements with some government ministers.

Parvanov in slivnitsa
Parvanov in Slivnitsa, Bulgaria, 18 November 2010.

After the Presidency

In 2010, Mr. Parvanov started a new platform called ABV. The name comes from the first three letters of the Bulgarian alphabet. He said it was not a political party at first. However, he visited many cities and met with mayors, which made some people think he was preparing for future elections.

In January 2014, Mr. Parvanov officially restarted the ABV project. He announced that his group would have its own candidates for the European parliamentary elections that year. On January 15, 2017, he stepped down as the leader of the ABV party.

What the President Does

In Bulgaria, the President's job is mostly to represent the country. The main power to run the government belongs to the Prime Minister and the government ministers. However, Mr. Parvanov was known for being very active during his time as President. He often shared his opinions on important matters.

Helping Children: Bulgarian Christmas

Georgi Parvanov started a special campaign called "Bulgarian Christmas" in 2003. This campaign raises money to help treat children and to improve hospitals and health centers.

Every year around Christmas, there is a musical event where Bulgarian performers sing popular songs. The President and his wife, along with other important guests, attend this event. It is shown on national TV, and people can donate money by sending SMS messages or making bank transfers.

Over the years, millions of euros have been donated by individuals and companies. Mr. Parvanov made sure that the money was used correctly for its purpose.

Family Life

Georgi Parvanov is married to Zorka Parvanova. They got married in 1983. They have two sons named Vladimir and Ivaylo. Mr. Parvanov also has two grandchildren from his son Vladimir: Georgi, born in 2011, and Victoria, born in 2015.

Awards and Recognition

Mr. Parvanov has received many awards and honors from different countries around the world. These awards recognize his work and his importance as a leader.

A ceremony was held to decorate Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Ilham Aliyev with high awards
Parvanov with the Heydar Aliyev Order.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gueorgui Parvanov para niños

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