Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
  • Симеон Сакскобургготски
Simeon in 2017
Prime Minister of Bulgaria
In office
24 July 2001 – 17 August 2005
PresidentPetar Stoyanov
Georgi Parvanov
DeputyNikolay Vasilev
Lydia Shuleva
Kostadin Paskalev
Plamen Panayotov
Preceded byIvan Kostov
Succeeded bySergey Stanishev
Leader of the National Movement Simeon the Second party[a]
In office
6 April 2002 – 28 November 2009
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byHristina Hristova
Tsar of Bulgaria
In office
28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946
Regent
See list
  • 28 August 1943 – 9 September 1944:
    9 Sep 1944 – 15 September 1946:
Prime Ministers
Preceded byBoris III
Succeeded byMonarchy abolished
Vasil Kolarov (as Acting President)
Born (1937-06-16) 16 June 1937 (age 87)
Vrana Palace, Sofia, Tsardom of Bulgaria
Spouse
Issue
HouseSaxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry
FatherBoris III of Bulgaria
MotherGiovanna of Italy
ReligionEastern Orthodox
Signature

Simeon Borisov Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Bulgarian: Симеон Борисов Сакскобургготски, romanizedSimeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski, [simeˈɔn boˈrisof sakskoburˈɡɔtski]; born 16 June 1937) is a Bulgarian politician who reigned as the last Tsar of the Tsardom of Bulgaria as Simeon II from 1943 until 1946.[2] In 1946, the monarchy was abolished by a referendum, forcing Simeon into exile. Following the fall of communism in Bulgaria, Simeon returned to his home country in 1996, and founded the National Movement for Stability and Progress party (also known as the National Movement Simeon II party). After winning the 2001 election as its leader, Sakskoburggotski proceeded to govern Bulgaria as prime minister from 2001 to 2005.[3]

Simeon was six years old when his father Boris III of Bulgaria died in 1943. Royal power was exercised on his behalf by a regency council led by Simeon's uncle Kiril, Prince of Preslav, General Nikola Mihov and prime minister, Bogdan Filov.
Following his premiership from 2001 to 2005, in the next election, as leader of NDSV, Sakskoburggotski entered a coalition government with the Bulgarian Socialist Party, as his party finished second in the election. In 2009, after NDSV failed to win any seats in the National Assembly, he retired from politics.

As of 20 July 2024, Simeon is one of only two living men who were heads of state during World War II, along with the 14th Dalai Lama, although both held mostly symbolic roles in their government's position.


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  1. ^ She is now remarried and a member of the extended Jordanian Royal Family
  2. ^ "Simeon Saxecoburggotski | prime minister and former king of Bulgaria | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Bulgaria". BBC – Country Profiles. Archived from the original on 7 March 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.