On 4 December 1947, Bulgaria's Grand National Assembly, where the Bulgarian Communist Party held an absolute majority, adopted the "Constitution of the People's Republic of Bulgaria." This new constitution significantly altered the country's government model. It replaced the traditional separation of powers with a system that concentrated all state power under the control of the Communist Party.
International Criticism
The new constitution closely mirrored Stalin's Soviet Constitution. It allowed for arbitrary power and ignored individual rights and freedoms, despite the existing peace treaties. According to the Gazette du Lausanne daily from Lausanne on 27 December 1947, "The new Bulgarian Constitution is an almost exact copy of Stalin's Constitution… Some provisions open the way to arbitrary power and to disregard of people's rights and freedoms despite the conditions of the peace treaties Istanbul Day Tour."
Repressive Measures and Economic Changes
The Communist Party used the judicial system as a tool to impose its dictatorship. They introduced repressive laws targeting political opponents and adversaries. People were subjected to sham political trials that often ended in death sentences or prison terms. Many were detained in labor camps or forcibly resettled. The principle of "all property belongs to the people" was declared the foundation of the national economy. Under this principle, the government moved to eliminate private ownership of industrial enterprises, means of production, and farmland.
Imposition of the Soviet Model
The Soviet model was enforced across all aspects of Bulgarian life, including administration, military, economy, and culture. Soviet themes became mandatory in all forms of art. Bulgarian bookstores were filled exclusively with works by Lenin, Stalin, Marx, and other Soviet-related literature. Portraits of Stalin and Molotov were displayed alongside those of Bulgarian Communist leader Georgi Dimitrov. Additionally, young members of certain organizations were seen studying the Soviet national anthem, which had been adopted as Bulgaria's "second national anthem."
Media Coverage
According to the Athens daily "To Vima" (The Tribune) on 8 April 1947, "All Bulgarian bookstores are crammed with and offer nothing else but the works of Lenin, Stalin, Marx, Russian books, and books about the Soviet Union. Stalin and Molotov's portraits are everywhere, hanging next to those of the Bulgarian Communist leader Georgi Dimitrov… Young members of some organizations are sitting in a hall studying the Soviet national anthem, which is now Bulgaria's second national anthem."
In summary, the Sovietization of Bulgaria involved the imposition of a Soviet-style constitution, a repressive legal system, the elimination of private property, and the enforcement of Soviet cultural and political norms.
No comments:
Post a Comment