The post of mayors of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, was established after the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878. The first governor of Sofia was Petr Alabin. Initially, the mayors of Sofia were assigned by the Provisional Russian Administration. After the newly restored Bulgarian state was already functioning on its own, in the end of 1878, mayors were chosen by the municipal council. Until 1944, the mayor was appointed through a Tsar's decree after a candidate was suggested by the Minister of Internal Affairs. After that date, the mayor was formally chosen by the municipal councilors, albeit after being specified by the Bulgarian Communist Party management.