Vasil Radoslavov

Vasil Hristov Radoslavov (27 July 1854 – 21 October 1929) was a leading Bulgarian liberal politician who twice served as prime minister. He was premier of the country throughout most of World War I.

Biography Born in Lovech, Radoslavov studied law at Heidelberg and became a supporter of Germany from then on. He became a political figure in 1884 when he was appointed Minister of Justice in the cabinet of Petko Karavelov, also holding the position under Archbishop Kliment Turnovski. He succeeded Karavelov as prime minister in 1886 and being aged 32 years, was the youngest person to have ever been Prime Minister of Bulgaria. Additionally he was the Minister of Finance.

His brief reign was marked by corruption and ultimately led to a split in the Liberal Party, with a Radoslav Liberal Party formed in 1887 as a grouping for right-wing liberals. Radoslavov was noted for his strong support for friendship with Austria-Hungary.

He returned to government in 1899 as Minister for Internal Affairs in the government of Todor Ivanchov, although after this he remained out of office until 1913 when he returned as prime minister. His anti-Russian rhetoric impressed Ferdinand who worked closely with Radoslavov in shaping foreign policy. He secured a large loan from Germany and Austria-Hungary in July 1914 but also managed to delay Bulgarian entry into the War. His popularity fell after Bulgaria officially entered the War, however, with money and resources now directed fully to the war effort. As prime minister he oversaw the liberation of Southern Dobruja and the occupation of Northern Dobruja in 1916 with the aid of German General August von Mackensen, although the move lost him some support from the German government as they wanted some of the territory for themselves. in Berlin, Weimar Republic, on 21 October. On 3 November, he was buried in Sofia.

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