This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/zhelyu-zhelev-communist-era-dissident-who-became-president-of-bulgaria-dies/2015/02/02/3af9f10e-a8c9-11e4-a06b-9df2002b86a0_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Zhelyu Zhelev, communist-era dissident who became president of Bulgaria, dies Zhelyu Zhelev, communist-era dissident who became president of Bulgaria, dies
(about 7 hours later)
Zhelyu Zhelev, a philosopher and communist-era dissident who became Bulgaria’s first democratically elected president, died Jan. 30 in the capital of Sofia. He was 79.Zhelyu Zhelev, a philosopher and communist-era dissident who became Bulgaria’s first democratically elected president, died Jan. 30 in the capital of Sofia. He was 79.
The family announced the death but did not cite the cause.The family announced the death but did not cite the cause.
A dissident under communism, Mr. Zhelev was the founder and first leader of the pro-democracy Union of Democratic Forces after the demise of the country’s Stalinist regime in 1989.A dissident under communism, Mr. Zhelev was the founder and first leader of the pro-democracy Union of Democratic Forces after the demise of the country’s Stalinist regime in 1989.
As in other East European countries abandoning Stalinism, Bulgarians chose for the presidency an intellectual untainted by a communist past. As in other Eastern European countries abandoning Stalinism, Bulgarians chose for the presidency an intellectual untainted by a communist past.
In 1990, the parliament chose Mr. Zhelev to become president. He then won in a nationwide presidential vote in 1992 and served until 1997.In 1990, the parliament chose Mr. Zhelev to become president. He then won in a nationwide presidential vote in 1992 and served until 1997.
His successor, Petar Stoyanov, praised Mr. Zhelev’s contribution to “bringing back Bulgaria to the family of free and democratic European nations.”His successor, Petar Stoyanov, praised Mr. Zhelev’s contribution to “bringing back Bulgaria to the family of free and democratic European nations.”
The slightly built Mr. Zhelev was a man of letters rather than politics, though in his academic work he clashed with the communist authorities. Despite the lack of charisma and political experience at the outset, Mr. Zhelev became a respected leader and swiftly gained popularity among Bulgarians. The slightly built Mr. Zhelev was a man of letters rather than politics, although in his academic work he clashed with the communist authorities. Despite his lack of charisma and political experience, Mr. Zhelev became a respected leader and swiftly gained popularity.
Before 1989, Mr. Zhelev was known only to some intellectuals who managed to get a copy of his book “Fascism,” published in 1981. Before 1989, Mr. Zhelev was known only to some intellectuals who managed to get a copy of his book “Fascism,” which was published in 1981.
A searching analysis of totalitarianism, the book was soon banned and removed from bookstores as the authorities found that the critique of the fascist dictatorship was equally applicable to the communist system of government. It became a bestseller only with its republication after the collapse of communism.A searching analysis of totalitarianism, the book was soon banned and removed from bookstores as the authorities found that the critique of the fascist dictatorship was equally applicable to the communist system of government. It became a bestseller only with its republication after the collapse of communism.
Zhelyu Mitev Zhelev was born March 3, 1935, in the village of Veselinovo. He studied philosophy at Sofia University but failed to complete his postgraduate studies in the early 1960s because his dissertation was critical of Lenin. Mr. Zhelev was soon expelled from the Communist Party.Zhelyu Mitev Zhelev was born March 3, 1935, in the village of Veselinovo. He studied philosophy at Sofia University but failed to complete his postgraduate studies in the early 1960s because his dissertation was critical of Lenin. Mr. Zhelev was soon expelled from the Communist Party.
For the next eight years, Mr. Zhelev was either jobless or worked in casual jobs in agriculture in his wife’s home town. He reportedly earned his doctorate in philosophy from Sofia University many years later. For the next eight years, Mr. Zhelev was either unemployed or worked in casual jobs in agriculture in his wife’s home town. He reportedly earned his doctorate in philosophy from Sofia University many years later.
After he left the presidency, Mr. Zhelev founded the Balkan Political Club, an informal caucus of former heads of state, who suggested strategies for the development of the region. After he left the presidency, Mr. Zhelev founded the Balkan Political Club, an informal caucus of former heads of state who suggested strategies for the development of the region.
In 2009, Mr. Zhelev said that Bulgaria should transform into a presidential republic, arguing that a strong leader could guarantee an efficient fight against top-level corruption.In 2009, Mr. Zhelev said that Bulgaria should transform into a presidential republic, arguing that a strong leader could guarantee an efficient fight against top-level corruption.
He was married to Maria Zheleva. Survivors include a daughter.He was married to Maria Zheleva. Survivors include a daughter.