Aleksandar Stoimenov Stamboliyski

20th Prime Minister of Bulgaria. A member of the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union, he served as prime minister from October 14, 1919 to June 9, 1923. Prior to becoming prime minister, he attended the University of Munich. Later, he became engaged in political activity as a notorious anti-monarchist and led the opposition to Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria. He also was vehemently opposed to Bulgaria's alliance with the central powers and entry into World War I. For this, he was put in prison in 1915 but was released in 1918 after Bulgaria's defeat in the war. His party won the elections and he then became prime minister in an unstable political atmosphere. This ultimately led to his downfall. A Coup d’état occurred on June 9, 1923 by right wing factions, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization, the army, and Italian agents. He relocated to his hometown but was captured days later, tortured, and murdered by the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization. He is best remembered for his efforts to improve relations with the rest of Europe. This resulted in Bulgaria becoming the first of the defeated states to join the League of Nations in 1920.