The elected XIII National Assembly was the only Assembly in Bulgarian democratic history to serve a full regularly scheduled five-year term as provided for in the
1893 constitutional amendments, since the term of the Assembly was reduced to four years in
1911. The ruling
NLP won a majority and formed several governments, led by
Racho Petrov (1903–1906),
Dimitar Petkov (1906–1907),
Dimitar Stanchov (interim in 1907) and
Petar Gudev (1907–1908). Characterised by authoritarian tendencies, repressive measures against the opposition and increasing political influence of the monarch
Prince Ferdinand, they are sometimes referred to as the "Second
Stambolovist regime". Their policies during this period included trade protectionism, large-scale railway and road construction, centralization, property rights legislation and education reform. Additionally, relations with the neighboring
Ottoman Empire and
Serbia grew closer, notably with the signing of the
Treaty of Sofia. In late 1903 the government issued an amnesty for several
Radoslavist former ministers, who had been imprisoned that June. Following the defeat of the
Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising, which resulted in significant immigration of Bulgarians from the Ottoman Empire, and the failed Serbian-Ottoman talks in March 1904, the government began funding the
VMRO. During this period, Bulgaria experienced record growth in industry, investment, and trade. The army was significantly expanded and rearmed with
Schneider field guns, and by 1906, military expenditures accounted for nearly 30% of the state budget. Petrov resigned following a series of corruption scandals, notably the and was succeeded as PM by NLP leader Petkov. Petkov's tenure saw significant social unrest and mass protests, culminating in the . Following his assassination in March, there was a leadership struggle within the NLP. , the new party leader, agreed to have his two main opponents ( and Petar Gudev) placed in high positions of power as
Chairman of Parliament and PM respectively. In January 1908 Prince Ferdinand tasked
Democratic Party leader
Aleksandar Malinov with forming a new government and scheduled
snap elections for May. ==References==