After its first free elections last June, Bulgaria became the only East European country to allow the Communist Party -- renamed the Bulgarian Socialist Party -- to retain power. But Prime Minister Andrei Lukanov's inability to alleviate chronic fuel and food shortages sparked weeks of street demonstrations. Last week after a four-day strike that paralyzed much of the country, Lukanov resigned. Appearing on television, he blamed the opposition for blocking his efforts toward reform, adding that it was "pointless" to * continue as Prime Minister. In Sofia demonstrators greeted the news with dancing and champagne.
Meanwhile Bulgarians were getting an earful...