Atanas Zafirov
Atanas Zafirov | |
|---|---|
Атанас Зафиров | |
| Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party | |
| Assumed office 15 June 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Korneliya Ninova |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 15 April 2021 | |
| Constituency | Sliven (2021-2022)
Vratsa (2022-2024) Veliko Tarnovo (2024) |
| In office 21 May 2013 – 26 January 2017 | |
| Constituency | Burgas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Atanas Zafirov Zafirov 29 September 1971 Burgas, PR Bulgaria |
| Political party | BSP |
| Alma mater | Veliko Tarnovo University |
| Occupation |
|
Atanas Zafirov Zafirov (Bulgarian: Атанас Зафиров Зафиров) is a Bulgarian politician, who serves an MP from the parliamentary group of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). He was elected as acting chairman of BSP on 15 June 2024.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]He was born on the 29th of September, 1971, in the city of Burgas.[2]
Zafirov attended the St. Kyril and Methodius Veliko Tarnavo university, graduating with a degree in "Bulgarian History and Language" in 1994.[2] He received a second degree in "Finance" from the university in 2007.[2] In 2019, Zafirov received a degree from the Georgi Rakovski Military Academy in national security.[2]
Political career
[edit]According to Zafirov's personal recollections, he had been interested in politics around the age of 14, when he joined the youth movement of the Bulgarian Communist Party, DMKS, in 1985.[3] In 1990, Zafirov officially became a member of BSP and participated as an activist in the electoral campaigns of the decade.[3]
In 2001, he served as a political advisor to the MP-candidate for Burgas from BSP, Penka Kentardzhieva.[3] He also participated in and was nominated for local elections the civic movement "Sarafovo 21st-century", meant to represent a newly built neighborhood in Burgas.[3] Ultimately, he did not end up contesting the 2003 Local Elections, however he was later appointed to serve in the Burgas Municipal Administration.[3]
He was nominated as an MP candidate from the Burgas region by BSP in the 2005 and 2009 national elections, as well as a candidate for the Burgas City Council in the 2007 Local Elections, however did not get elected.[3]
In 2011, he was elected as the Oblast Coordinator of BSP.[3]
Member of the National Assembly
[edit]In 2013, Zafirov was elected as an MP for the first time.[4] He briefly retired from parliamentary activity following the 2017 Bulgarian parliamentary election, however was elected to serve in the parliament once again in 2021.[4]
In his parliamentary activity, Zafirov participated a number of commissions, most notably the Defense Commission in the 47th National Assembly.[3] He further played an important role within the Armenian-Bulgarian friendship committee, receiving a medal from Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan for his contribution to Armenian-Bulgarian relations in 2022.[5]
Internally, between 2021 and 2023, Zafirov was the deputy leader of the BSP parliamentary group.[4]
He continued to be active within the party structures, being a member of both the National Council and the Executive Council of the Socialist Party. In these roles, Zafirov generally expressed support for the leadership of Korneliya Ninova.
Interim BSP Chairman
[edit]Zafirov was elected as acting chairman of BSP on 15 June 2024.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Атанас Зафиров стана временен председател на БСП". ClubZ (in Bulgarian).
- ^ a b c d "АТАНАС ЗАФИРОВ ЗАФИРОВ". Parliament.bg (in Bulgarian).
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Вижте впечатляваща изповед за БСП на депутата Атанас Зафиров, отказа се от битката за лидер". Burgasinfo.bg (in Bulgarian).
- ^ a b c "Атанас Зафиров Зафиров". Strazha.bg (in Bulgarian).
- ^ "Президентът на Армения лично награди Атанас Зафиров с високо държавно отличие". BTA.bg (in Bulgarian).