WORLD : Bulgaria Picks Non-Communist
Zhelyu Zhelev, who led the democratic opposition in June’s free elections, became president today, the first non-Communist to gain any leading Bulgarian post in more than 40 years.
Zhelev’s election by Parliament ended almost a month of political stalemate following the resignation July 6 of President Petar Mladenov, a member of the ruling former Communist Party, now known as the Socialists.
Mladenov stepped down after it was confirmed he had called for the use of tanks against anti-government demonstrators in December.
Zhelev, 55, was a compromise candidate backed by all parties--including Socialist leaders--after five unsuccessful attempts to get a president elected by the 400-member Parliament.
Zhelev won 284 of the 389 votes cast.
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