ABSTRACT
ProgressinrestructuringBulgarianagriculturehasbeenimpededbyslownessinlandreform.Inpart,thisslownessreflectstheprotractedcourseof economicreforminthecountryasawhole.Atthebeginningof1997,an economiccrisis,characterizedbyrapidinflationandexchangeratedepreciation,ledtoaseverepoliticalcrisisasparliamentwasdisbandedandnew electionswerecalled.Continuedslownessbygovernmenttoundertake industrialprivatizationandintroduceacurrencyboard(bothrequiredto secureassistancefrominternationalagenciesandespeciallytheInternationalMonetaryFund),alsopresentedthebackdroptoaspringelection whichhadanuncertainoutcomeintermsoflonger-termpoliticalstability. Theleadershipofthecountryremainedindoubt.
