Former Bulgarian King Seeks a Crowning Glory

As an economic crisis erodes support for Bulgaria’s democratic rulers, former King Simeon returned to his homeland Saturday to test the waters for a possible run for the presidency.

Fifty years after the nation’s Communist rulers forced him into exile at the age of 9, the former monarch was greeted at the Sofia airport by 3,000 people handing him flowers and waving flags with the royal symbols.

Well-wishers chanted “Simeon” and “We want the crown!”

“I love you” were the only words the visibly moved king said before he and his Spanish wife, Margarita, headed downtown under heavy guard.

Tens of thousands lined the streets to cheer Simeon on his way through the capital, which was peppered with posters of the former monarch.

Simeon’s visit coincides with opposition primaries for presidential elections scheduled for the end of the year.

Price hikes, growing unemployment--especially among young people--and rising crime have soured many on democracy and economic reforms. Six years after the collapse of communism, 40% of Bulgarians say they would vote for the exiled king.

In a recent interview in Madrid, where he lives, Simeon would not say whether he would run for president or seek restoration of Bulgaria’s monarchy.

The constitution would bar Simeon from running, since candidates must have lived in Bulgaria for the previous five years. But Simeon’s supporters have asked the Constitutional Court to waive that requirement because he did not leave Bulgaria voluntarily.

While many see the former king as a savior who might rescue Bulgaria from a deepening economic and social crisis, others say the monarchy belongs to an age that should be forgotten.