Kostov, Ivan (1949- )

Bulgarian politician, prime minister 1997-2001. A trained economist, he was elected to the National Assembly in 1991, representing the right-of-centre Union of Democratic Forces (UDF). Appointed finance minister, he introduced market-centred economic reforms. These provoked a wave of strikes, which brought down the government in 1992. However, in April 1997 he led the UDF to a decisive electoral victory over the Socialist Party, which had been undermined by a new economic crisis. His administration pledged to battle against corruption and organized crime and seek early membership of NATO and the European Union.

A forceful leader, Kostov transformed the UDF from a disparate body comprising 15 groups into a single party, which united with a number of smaller parties to fight the 1997 election. He inherited a near-bankrupt and lawless economy, and embarked on an ambitious privatization programme, with serious consequences to the unemployment level.