Sergei Stanishev

Sergei Stanishev served as the prime minister of Bulgaria from 2005 to 2009, representing the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). His premiership followed that of Simeon Saxecoburggotski and preceded Boiko Borisov. During Stanishev's term, Bulgaria became a member of the European Union in 2007. However, his government faced criticism from the European Commission for insufficient progress in reforming the judiciary, combating corruption, and fighting organized crime. A natural gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine in early 2009 also highlighted weaknesses in his government, which was already dealing with the global recession and allegations of corruption. In the July 2009 parliamentary elections, the center-right GERB party, led by Boiko Borisov, won a majority, and Borisov took office as prime minister.12