Konstantin Stoilov

Konstantin Stoilov (born Sept. 23, 1853, Plovdiv [now in Bulgaria]—died March 23, 1901, Sofia, Bulg.) was a Bulgarian statesman, founder and leader of the conservative People’s Party, and prime minister of Bulgaria (1887, 1894–99) who played an important role in establishing the country’s democratic institutions and in fostering Bulgaria’s increased involvement with western Europe.

Stoilov graduated from the American-sponsored Robert College in Istanbul and was awarded a doctoral degree in law from Heidelberg University in Germany. He was one of the authors of the draft version of the Tŭrnovo constitution, which reestablished the Bulgarian state in 1879, following nearly five centuries of rule by the Ottoman Empire. He served as chief of staff for Alexander I and was one of the prince’s chief advisers until 1881, when the constitution was suspended.

After Alexander’s abdication in 1886, Stoilov headed the government under a regency made up of Stefan Stambolov, Petko Karavelov, and Sava Mutkurov, but he resigned as soon as the new prince (later king), Ferdinand, was elected by the National Assembly (1887). In the process, Stoilov gave way to his ardent intellectual opponent Stambolov, who became prime minister. After the fall of Stambolov’s government, Stoilov again became prime minister. During his five years of rule, he contributed greatly to Bulgaria’s modernization and, through skillful diplomacy, increased the country’s ties with western Europe while normalizing relations with Russia.