The “Macedonian Question” on the Bulgarian Political Scene (1919-23)

Abstract

This study examines the effect of the “Macedonian Question” on the Bulgarian
political scene shortly after WW I, each party’s policy towards the issue,
and the effects of this policy on the issue’s progress. Particular attention is
also paid to such extraparliamentary forces as the Macedonian refugee organisations
in Bulgaria, the Macedonian Committees, the armed forces, and
the royal family, in an endeavour to present the “Macedonian Question” not
only as an issue of Balkan diplomacy but also as a focal point of the internal
political developments in the Bulgarian kingdom. It is argued that BANU’s
foreign policy, although supported by the majority of the Bulgarian population,
was not generally accepted by the political world. Conservative and
Liberal parties, powerful Macedonian refugee organizations, the Army, even
the royal house were all against BANU’s Macedonian policy. The rapprochment
of Bulgaria and Yugoslavia accelerated the co-ordination of all these
forces and led to the fall of Stamboliiski’s government.