Alexander Yanchulev
Bulgarian politician and civil engineer (1938–2026)
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Alexander Stefanov Yanchulev (Bulgarian: Александър Стефанов Янчулев; 7 October 1938 – 9 June 2026) was a Bulgarian politician, civil engineer, university lecturer and writer, who was a member of the Union of Democratic Forces (SDS). In October 1991, Yanchulev become the first democratically elected Mayor of Sofia, having won the capital city's first mayoral election.[1][2] (All previous Sofia mayors had been appointed or elected by the city's municipal councils).[2] Yanchulev served as Sofia's mayor from 1991 until 1995 during Bulgaria's early transition to democracy following the 1989 fall of communism.[1][2]
Alexander Yanchulev | |
|---|---|
| Александър Янчулев | |
| Mayor of Sofia | |
| In office 21 October 1991 – 18 November 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Aleksandar Karakachanov |
| Succeeded by | Stefan Sofiyanski |
| Member of the 7th Grand National Assembly of Bulgaria | |
| In office 1990–1991 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 October 1938 Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Died | 9 June 2026 (aged 87) Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Party | Union of Democratic Forces |
Life and career
Yanchulev was born in Sofia, Kingdom of Bulgaria, on 7 October 1938.[1] His father Stefan Yanchulev, was a journalist and publicist. He graduated with a degree in hydraulic engineering from the Civil Engineering Institute, which is now part of the present-day University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy.[1] He later became a professor and university lecturer of hydraulic engineering and land reclamation for several decades.[1]
Following the fall of the People's Republic of Bulgaria communist government in 1989, Yanchulev became active in politics and joined the Union of Democratic Forces (SDS) political party.[1] He served as a member of the 7th Grand National Assembly of Bulgaria, which wrote and adopted the current Constitution of Bulgaria on 12 July 1991.[1]
On 13 October 1991, Yanchulev won Sofia's mayoral election, becoming the city's first directly elected and democratically elected mayor in the city's history.[1][2] He served one term from 1991 until 1995. Yanchulev's tenure as mayor coincided with a severe financial crisis for Bulgaria and his city, as well as financial crunches on the municipal level.[1] He also guided the capital city through a water crisis from 1994 to 1995, which required residential water rationing due to critically low water levels at the Iskar Reservoir.[1]
He restored the historic coat of arms of Sofia and the city's flag, both of which had been altered by the previous communist regime.[1] He also established September 17 - the feast day of Saints Faith, Hope and Charity and their mother, Sophia of Rome - as the official holiday of the city of Sofia.[1]
In 2021, Yanchulev published his memoir, "No Makeup and Retouching", which recounts the challenges and major events of his mayorship.[1] He also published several books and articles on the history of Sofia.[1]
Yanchulev died on 9 June 2026, at the age of 87.[1]