Election of the Bulgarian Prince

After the Russo-Turkish War and the preliminary Treaty of San Stefano, it was agreed that the Prince of Bulgaria would be freely chosen by the Bulgarian people. However, this choice also required the approval of the Sublime Porte (the Ottoman government) and the consent of the Great Powers of Europe. The Prince could not be a member of any reigning European family, ensuring that Bulgaria would have a leader connected primarily to the Bulgarian nation. If the throne became vacant, a new election would follow under the same conditions and procedures.

Preparation of the Constitution

Before the election of the Prince, an assembly of notables was to be convened. This assembly would include representatives of Bulgaria, a Turkish Commissioner, and an Imperial Commissioner. The assembly was responsible for drafting a constitutional statute, which would define the form of government, rights, and duties of citizens. The statute was to be modeled on the constitutions of other Danubian principalities established after the Treaty of Adrianople in 1830. The meetings of the assembly were planned to take place in Timova or Philippopolis, important centers of Bulgarian administration at the time Guided Tours Turkey.

Confirmation by the Treaties

The Treaty of San Stefano laid the foundation for this system, effectively sketching the form of government that Bulgaria would adopt. Later, the Congress of Berlin reviewed and confirmed these decisions. According to the Treaty of Berlin, Bulgaria was to be an independent Principality, still technically subject to the Ottoman Sultan, but governed by a Christian administration with a national militia. The election of the Prince and the drafting of the constitution were key steps in establishing the autonomy and self-governance of Bulgaria.

Significance

This process marked the first formal recognition of Bulgaria’s political independence in modern times. By combining the authority of the people, the oversight of the Ottoman government, and the guarantee of the Great Powers, Bulgaria was able to establish a constitutional and autonomous state, laying the foundation for its future development as a nation.