Regency
At the age of 32, Stambolov found himself in the highly-unusual position of being a minister of government, president, and regent for a missing monarch (a situation matched in its unusualness only, perhaps, by the election of former King Simeon II as prime minister of Bulgaria in 2001). Stambolov's style of governing during his regency was observed as being increasingly authoritarian. But this was, to some extent, a reaction to the grave difficulties of his peculiar position. Indeed, the regency has been described as marking the beginning of the tragic years of Stambolov's life.
According to a close friend, Stambolov was "almost inclined to resign the honors, together with the dangers of his position, and retire to his beloved Turnovo." But he stayed on, recognizing that there was no other suitable candidate, and that if he did not lead, then Bulgaria's sovereignty would likely be lost.
Through Stambolov's efforts, a successor to Alexander was found in Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who was proclaimed Knyaz ("Ruling Prince") of autonomous Bulgaria on 7 July 1887, and crowned on 14 August 1887.
Read more about this topic: Stefan Stambolov