Background
Aleksandar Malinov was born to a Bulgarian family in Russian Bessarabia, April 21, 1867.
Aleksandar Malinov was born to a Bulgarian family in Russian Bessarabia, April 21, 1867.
His early life was spent in Russia, and he received his education as a lawyer at the University of Kiev. In 1887 Malinov took up residence in Bulgaria.
He entered the National Assembly (Sobranie) in 1901 and became head of the Democratic party. Malinov first served as ministerpresident in the years 1908-1911. Once in power, he quickly abandoned the reformist zeal he had once displayed, becoming a docile executive for the real director of Bulgarian affairs, Prince Ferdinand. Unlike Rumanian politicians such as Ion Bratianu, party leaders in Bulgaria were more the symbols of the drift in foreign and domestic policies than the shapers of government decisions. Malinov came to be known as staunchly pro-Russian. In 1913, as Bulgaria suffered defeat in the Second Balkan War, rumors spread that Malinov would be called upon to form a new government. The post went instead to the pro-Austrian Radoslavov. Malinov's name circulated once again in early 1914, when Radoslavov aroused controversy by actively seeking a tie with the Central Powers.
With the outbreak of World War I, Malinov urged that Bulgaria remain neutral. The Entente's assault on the Dardanelles temporarily displaced Ferdinand's alignment with the Central Powers. New rumors ran that Malinov might return to lead a cabinet. In September 1915, however, Ferdinand called all party leaders together to announce his decision to fight alongside Germany and Austria. Malinov remained a firm spokesman for continued neutrality. Ferdinand asked him to join the Radoslavov cabinet in a show of national unity. Malinov refused, but his moderate and conventional opposition stood in sharp contrast to the violent protests of the leader of the Agrarian party, Alexander Stamboliski. The following summer, Malinov argued, again without success, against a Bulgarian declaration of war on Rumania.
During the first three years of the war, a government led by Malinov had become a symbol for loosening Bulgaria's ties to the Central Powers. In the spring of 1918 Malinov was at the edge of power. Bulgaria had been picked clean of food by her allies. Bread riots spread at home. A broad opposition bloc had formed in the Sobranie. Mutinies threatened to cripple the thinly stretched and isolated Bulgarian armies defending the Macedonian front. In June Ferdinand called on Malinov to form a new government. The Democratic party leader was widely expected to seek a separate peace. Radoslavov himself had held back from declaring war on the United States. The mediation of Woodrow Wilson seemed a likely route by which Bulgaria could depart from the war. Such expectations were soon disappointed.
Malinov failed to form the broad coalition government he desired. Ferdinand refused to countenance the release of Agrarian leaders from prison. Their followers in the Sobranie responded by refusing to back Malinov's government. The monarch remained firmly linked to the Central Powers and barred the way to a new foreign policy. Bulgaria put out peace feelers in late June. In Mamatey's view, these were largely intended to put pressure on Germany to treat Bulgaria more equitably in dividing the war spoils from the conquest of Rumania. Moreover, in the event of future defeat, early peace inquiries might provide Bulgaria with a favorable background for dealing with the Entente. The British government suspected as much and helped to hold the United States back.
In August 1918, Malinov protested the precarious military situation in Macedonia to Ferdinand and the German High Command. His messages had no effect. The catastrophe arrived in mid-September. Franchet d'Esperey and his multinational army broke the Bulgarian defenses at Dobro Pole. The entire Macedonian front collapsed within a week. For once, Malinov and his government ignored Ferdinand. The cabinet asked for an armistice. Hostilities ended on September 30.
During the first three years of the war, a government led by Malinov had become a symbol for loosening Bulgaria's ties to the Central Powers. In the spring of 1918 Malinov was at the edge of power. Bulgaria had been picked clean of food by her allies. Bread riots spread at home. A broad opposition bloc had formed in the Sobranie. Mutinies threatened to cripple the thinly stretched and isolated Bulgarian armies defending the Macedonian front. In June Ferdinand called on Malinov to form a new government. The Democratic party leader was widely expected to seek a separate peace. Radoslavov himself had held back from declaring war on the United States. The mediation of Woodrow Wilson seemed a likely route by which Bulgaria could depart from the war. Such expectations were soon disappointed.
Malinov failed to form the broad coalition government he desired. Ferdinand refused to countenance the release of Agrarian leaders from prison. Their followers in the Sobranie responded by refusing to back Malinov's government. The monarch remained firmly linked to the Central Powers and barred the way to a new foreign policy. Bulgaria put out peace feelers in late June. In Mamatey's view, these were largely intended to put pressure on Germany to treat Bulgaria more equitably in dividing the war spoils from the conquest of Rumania. Moreover, in the event of future defeat, early peace inquiries might provide Bulgaria with a favorable background for dealing with the Entente. The British government suspected as much and helped to hold the United States back.
In August 1918, Malinov protested the precarious military situation in Macedonia to Ferdinand and the German High Command. His messages had no effect. The catastrophe arrived in mid-September. Franchet d'Esperey and his multinational army broke the Bulgarian defenses at Dobro Pole. The entire Macedonian front collapsed within a week. For once, Malinov and his government ignored Ferdinand. The cabinet asked for an armistice. Hostilities ended on September 30.
Malinov was known for his support for close ties to Russia and he pursued this policy during his first ministry of 1908-1911. Malinov, who veered towards liberalism, presided over a relatively unremarkable tenure during which his main concern was stabilising the newly independent country. He was vehemently opposed to the increasing economic links with Germany which followed his period of office. He urged Vasil Radoslavov to follow a policy of neutrality after the outbreak of the First World War, fearing that Germany would simply exploit Bulgarian resources for her own war effort.