NID: BULGARIA: REFORM LEADERS BATTLE HARDLINERS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe: A 30-Year Legacy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06826859
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 26, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2019
• Publication Date: January 27, 1990

Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826859
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BULGARIA; Reform Leaders Battle Hardliners
Bulgaria's reform-minded leadership is pushing ahead with change
despite growing opposition within the Communist Party. After the
conclusion of an unscheduled Central Committee plenum Thursday
night called to discuss the crisis in the party, Sofia announced
yesterday that Communist Party organizations in the Army would
be disbanded. After a National Assembly session broke down on
Thursday, the chairman of the Assembly explained that a broad
consensus between opposition forces and the Communist Party
was needed before the Assembly could adopt nzw measures. The
Politburo released no other details on the Central Committee session,
but a Western press source indicates that party leaders advocated
forming a coalition government with the opposition
Comment: The breakdown of the Assembly session shows that
opponents of reform are becoming more vocal and probably will
challenge the leadership at next week's extraordinary party congress.
By endorsing a coalition government, reformist party leaders
probably are trying to line up support among the opposition so they
can defeat any attempt by hardliners to regain power. A coalition
could lead to inclusion of thionposjijcu in the government as early
as next week
9
T CS 2722/90
27 January 1990
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826859