Boyko Borisov

Quick Facts: Who was Boyko Borisov?

Subject:

Boyko Borisov

Known for:

Bulgarian politician who served as Prime Minister multiple times, leading the GERB party.

Born:

1959-06-13

Century / Era:

1959s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Boyko Metodiev Borisov (born 13 June 1959) is a Bulgarian politician who served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria on three separate occasions, serving a total of 9 years between 2009 and 2021, making him the country's longest-serving post-communist Prime Minister. A member of the GERB party, which he founded and currently leads, he previously served as Mayor of Sofia from 2005 to 2009. Borisov remains politically active to date and currently serves as a Member of the National Assembly. Borisov was elected mayor of Sofia in 2005. In December 2005, he was the founding chair of the conservative political party Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), becoming its lead candidate in the 2009 general election.

Career & Major Achievements

Borisov led GERB to a landslide victory in 2009, defeating the incumbent Socialist Party, and resigned as mayor of Sofia to be sworn in as prime minister. He resigned in 2013, following nationwide protests against the government's energy policy, but after leading GERB to victory in the 2014 general election, he was again named Bulgaria's prime minister. His second term ended similarly to his first, after Borisov resigned in January 2017, this time following GERB's defeat in the 2016 presidential election. As before, Borisov led GERB to election victory again in the snap 2017 general election, becoming prime minister for a third time. Borisov-led governing coalitions, Bulgaria experienced an improvement in macroeconomic situation and general political stability; however, it remained the EU's poorest member state (in terms of GDP per capita), with nearly a quarter of its population living below the national poverty lines.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Foreign direct investment fell, and corruption has led, as recently as June 2019, to repeated rejection of Bulgaria's attempts to join the Schengen Area. Electoral results for Borisov and his party were overshadowed by allegations of fraud in 2013, 2015, and in 2019, both locally and for the European Parliament. Judicial threats and attacks against journalists increased to the point where journalism in Bulgaria became "dangerous" according to Reporters Without Borders, which ranked Bulgaria 111th globally in press freedom in 2019. In 2019, former U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria James Pardew stated that a "national political environment with little government or criminal accountability and no serious opposition to challenge the current government" was in place as a result of collusion, corruption, and stifling of the media under Borisov. On 17 March 2022, Borisov was detained after allegations of misuse of EU funds; he was released after spending 24 hours in prison.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1959 (1959-06-13): Birth of Boyko Borisov — Bulgarian politician who served as Prime Minister multiple times, leading the GERB party.
2. 2005: 2005 Milestone — A member of the GERB party, which he founded and currently leads, he previously served as Mayor of Sofia from 2005 to 2009.
3. 2009: 2009 Milestone — Borisov led GERB to a landslide victory in 2009, defeating the incumbent Socialist Party, and resigned as mayor of Sofia to be sworn in as prime minister.
4. 2013: 2013 Milestone — He resigned in 2013, following nationwide protests against the government's energy policy, but after leading GERB to victory in the 2014 general election, he was again named Bulgaria's prime minister.
5. 2017: 2017 Milestone — His second term ended similarly to his first, after Borisov resigned in January 2017, this time following GERB's defeat in the 2016 presidential election.
6. 2019: 2019 Milestone — Foreign direct investment fell, and corruption has led, as recently as June 2019, to repeated rejection of Bulgaria's attempts to join the Schengen Area.
7. 2022: 2022 Milestone — On 17 March 2022, Borisov was detained after allegations of misuse of EU funds; he was released after spending 24 hours in prison.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Boyko Borisov

True or False: “Boyko Borisov was elected mayor of Sofia in 2005 after previously serving as Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He served as Chief Secretary from 2001 to 2005 and subsequently resigned that post to successfully run for and win the mayoral election in 2005.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1959 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1959
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Frequently Asked Questions about Boyko Borisov