1903 Bulgarian parliamentary election

1903 Bulgarian parliamentary election

←  1902 19 October 1903 1908  →
All 189 seats in the National Assembly 95 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	41.17%
Party Leader Seats +/– People's Liberal Dimitar Petkov 132 +123 People's Party Ivan Geshov 25 −7 LP (Radoslavists) Vasil Radoslavov 9 +1 Democratic Aleksandar Malinov 7 −1 Progressive Liberal Stoyan Danev 6 −76 Tonchevist Liberals Dimitar Tonchev  [ bg ] 3 New Ind. People's Liberals 2 New Ind. Liberals 1 0 Conservatives 1 −1 Undetermined – 2 0 Independents – 1 −12 This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. Prime Minister before Prime Minister after Racho Petrov Petrov II (Ind. + NLP) Racho Petrov Petrov II (Ind. + NLP)

Parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on 19 October 1903 to elect members of the XIII Ordinary National Assembly. Voter turnout was 41%. ^[1] The result was a victory for the ruling People's Liberal Party. ^[2]

Results

By-elections were held to fill vacant seats on 19 October 1903, 29 February 1904, 20 March 1905, 16 March 1906 and 1 April 1907. This resulted in the People's Liberal Party winning 132 seats.

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	People's Liberal Party			132	+123
	People's Party			25	–7
	Liberal Party (Radoslavists)			9	+1
	Democratic Party			7	–1
	Progressive Liberal Party			6	–76
	Tonchevist Liberals			3	New
	Independent People's Liberals			2	New
	Independent Liberals			1	0
	Conservative Party			1	–1
	Undetermined			2	0
	Independents			1	–12
Total				189	0
Total votes		345,682	–
Registered voters/turnout		839,605	41.17
Source: National Statistical Institute [2]

Aftermath

The elected XIII National Assembly was the only Assembly in Bulgarian democratic history to serve a full regularly scheduled five-year term as provided for in the 1893 constitutional amendments, since the term of the Assembly was reduced to four years in 1911. The ruling NLP won a majority and formed several governments, led by Racho Petrov (1903–1906), Dimitar Petkov (1906–1907), Dimitar Stanchov (interim in 1907) and Petar Gudev (1907–1908). Characterised by authoritarian tendencies, repressive measures against the opposition and increasing political influence of the monarch Prince Ferdinand, they are sometimes referred to as the "Second Stambolovist regime". ^[3] Their policies during this period included trade protectionism, large-scale railway and road construction, centralization, property rights legislation and education reform. Additionally, relations with the neighboring Ottoman Empire and Serbia grew closer, notably with the signing of the Treaty of Sofia.

In late 1903 the government issued an amnesty for several Radoslavist former ministers, who had been imprisoned that June. Following the defeat of the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising, which resulted in significant immigration of Bulgarians from the Ottoman Empire, and the failed Serbian-Ottoman talks in March 1904, the government began funding the VMRO. During this period, Bulgaria experienced record growth in industry, investment, and trade. The army was significantly expanded and rearmed with Schneider field guns, and by 1906, military expenditures accounted for nearly 30% of the state budget. Petrov resigned following a series of corruption scandals, notably the Charles-Jean affair  [ bg ] and was succeeded as PM by NLP leader Petkov.

Petkov's tenure saw significant social unrest and mass protests, culminating in the 1907 University crisis  [ bg ]. Following his assassination in March, there was a leadership struggle within the NLP. Nikola Genadiev  [ bg ], the new party leader, agreed to have his two main opponents (Dobri Petkov  [ bg ] and Petar Gudev) placed in high positions of power as Chairman of Parliament and PM respectively.

In January 1908 Prince Ferdinand tasked Democratic Party leader Aleksandar Malinov with forming a new government and scheduled snap elections for May. ^{[4] [5]}

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p368 ISBN   978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Statistique des elections des deputes pour la XIII-eme Assemblee nationale ordinaire. NSI. 1909. p. 182.
3. "Предизвикателствата на опозиционния статус. Прогресивнолибералната партия (1903–1911)" (in Bulgarian).
4. Tsurakov, Angel. Encyclopedia of Governments, National Assemblies, and Assassinations in Bulgaria. Sofia, Trud Publishing House, 2008. ISBN 954-528-790-X, p. 87-95.
5. Kumanov, Milen. Political organizations and movements in Bulgaria and their leaders 1879-1949, Sofia 1991.