Simeon II of Bulgaria
Simeon II (born
June 16,
1937) was the last
Tsar of Bulgaria from
1943 to
1946, and is the current
Prime Minister of Bulgaria. He now uses the name
Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski but is often known outside Bulgaria as "Simeon
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha," which is the original German form of his family name. He is the only monarch in history to regain political power through democratic election to a different office (see
Norodom Sihanouk for the nearest similar history).
Simeon was baptized with water taken from the
river Jordan and flown to Bulgaria by an air force major. He became Tsar in
1943 upon the sudden death of his father, Tsar
Boris III. Since he was still a minor, his uncle,
Prince Kyril of Bulgaria was appointed regent. In
1944, Kyril and most of the senior members of his government were killed in a
Soviet-backed coup, but Simeon was allowed to stay on the throne. A
1946 referendum voted to abolish the monarchy, but the royal family chose to flee the country rather than have Simeon abdicate.
They initially fled to
Egypt, before settling in
Madrid. In Spain, Simeon studied law and business administration, and went on to become a successful businessman.
In
2001 Simeon returned to Bulgaria, and was elected leader of the newly-formed
National Movement for Simeon II. In elections held later that year the NMS won 119 out of 240 seats in Parliament, and Simeon became Prime Minister. He has remained coy on whether he believes Bulgaria should restore the monarchy, saying it is a matter for "the people" to decide. As he never formally abdicated he retains the claim to his royal title and has not renounced it.
See also
\n*List of monarchs who lost their thrones or abdicated in the 20th century
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