Petar Mladenov
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1st President of the Republic of Bulgaria
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| In office 3 April 1990 – 6 July 1990 |
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| Succeeded by | Zhelyu Zhelev |
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| Born | August 22, 1936 Vidin |
| Died | May 31, 2000 Sofia |
| Spouse | Ganka Mladenov |
Petar Toshev Mladenov (Bulgarian: Петър Тошев Младенов) (August 22, 1936 - May 31, 2000) was a Bulgarian communist diplomat and politician.
Mladenov was born to a peasant family in the village of Toshevtsi, Vidin district. His father was an anti-fascist partisan killed in action in 1944. He graduated from a military school, entered Sofia State University, and graduated from the Moscow State Institute for International Relations in 1963. He served as foreign minister for nearly two decades under the communist dictator Todor Zhivkov. Mladenov joined the Politburo and became foreign minister in 1971, serving in that position until November 1989, when he participated in a successful effort within the Politburo to overthrow Zhivkov. Mladenov then took over both of Zhivkov's main positions, becoming general secretary of the communist party and chairman of the council of state. Having seen the overthrow of the other Eastern European communist governments, Mladenov helped to reorganize the government. Both of his positions were abolished early in 1990, but Mladenov became President of Bulgaria in April 1990. His government helped unemployed workers by starting a labor exchange.
Mladenov resigned as President of Bulgaria in July 1990 after it emerged that he had suggested the use of tanks against an anti-government demonstration in December 1989, securing a place in history with the phrase 'Better the tanks come' (Bulgarian: По-добре танковете да дойдат). Although these allegations damaged his reputation as a liberal, reformist socialist, he is still notable for his role in Bulgaria's movement away from communism.
Mladenov underwent a heart bypass in Houston in 1986, leaving him in frail health in the ensuing years. His wife Ganka and a daughter survived him.
| Preceded by: Todor Zhivkov |
Chairmen of the State Council 17 November 1989 - 3 April 1990 |
Succeeded by: Office abolished |
| Preceded by: New office |
President of Bulgaria 3 April 1990 - 6 July 1990 |
Succeeded by: Zhelyu Zhelev |
