After restoring the national state-hood in 1878 Bulgaria was a constitutional monarchy with a democratic government and a quickly developing economy. The processes of successful growth were discontinued as a result of the adventurism of king Ferdinand I that led to the catastrophes of 1913. (when this country had to wage wars against Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Turkey, and Romania at the same time) and of 1918 (warring against the Entente countries). 1923 and 1934 – Democratically elected governments were toppled via coups d’Etat that brought to power authoritarian regimes. 1941 – Bulgaria entered World War II on the side of the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis. Bulgaria was the only ally of Hitler Germany which did not allow the killing of its Jewish citizens. It was thanks to king Boris III and to the Bulgarian governments that no hostilities were waged on this country’s territory. 1944 – After World War II, as a result of the Yalta agreements between the Great Powers, Bulgaria chanced in the field of influence of the Soviet Union. 1953-1989 – Years of the communist rule of Todor Zhivkov who headed both the party and the state. 10 November 1989 – Under the pressure of domestic and international circumstances Todor Zhivkov was forced to resign. Bulgaria once again embarked on the road of democratic development. 7 December 1989 – The Union of Democratic Forces /UDF/ was formed as a unification of 13 opposition organisations. 10-17 June 1990 – The first free parliamentary elections. 12 July 1991 – A new democratic Constitution was passed. 13 October 1991 – The first free local authorities elections. January 1992 – The first free presidential elections. Zhelyu Zhelev was elected as head of the state. 3 November 1996 – Petar Stoyanov, proposed by the UDF, was elected with a landslide majority as President of the Republic of Bulgaria. 19 April 1997 – The Parliamentary elections were won by the Democratic Forces United /DFU/ A government was formed headed by Ivan Kostov, Prime-Minister. Bulgaria started on the road of genuine democratic reforms.