Dragomir Zhelev
Dragomir Zhelev | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Executive of Syara | |
| In office 15 July 2000 – 3 August 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Zhivko Hristovski |
| Succeeded by | Melkon Isagholian |
| Minister of Public Administration | |
| In office 1 January 1994 – 29 December 1999 | |
| Deputy Minister of Regional Development | |
| In office 1 January 1990 – 31 December 1993 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 February 1951 Myzova, Galania |
| Nationality | Syaran |
| Political party | Union Party |
| Spouse | Jovana Kochanova (1981-Present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Myzova |
Dragomir Zhelev (Galanian: Драгомир Желев) is a Syaran politician and statesman who served as the Executive of Syara from 2000 to 2010.
Zhelev was born in Myzova in Galania in 1951 to a moderately successful family of farmers. He spent most of his early life working on the family farm, with his schooling only becoming a major focus in his teenage years. Zhelev later enrolled in the University of Myzova, graduating in 1975 with a degree in political science. During his time in university Zhelev became heavily involved in the Warden Way and after graduation joined several local organizations calling for the toppling of the Monarchies of Galania and Makedon. Following the outbreak of the Refusal War Zhelev volunteered to serve the Wardens, where he served as a supply officer. His role in several headquarters units let to him being close to many high ranking Warden officials, and his administrative and logistical skills were highly valued by his peers. Following the end of the war and the establishment of the Commonality, Zhelev leveraged his wartime connections to achieve status within the Commonality government, resulting in his appointment as Deputy Minister of Regional Development in 1990. He was later appointed Minister of Public Administration in 1994.
After a decade in the civil service Zhelev was voted into office as the Executive of the Syaran Commonality for the Unionists. Although he intended to focus his administration on domestic affairs and reforms, his tenure was dominated by increasingly poor relations with neighboring Ruvelka. In 2005 Syara and Ruvelka clashed in the Imerti Conflict; the perception of a Syaran victory helped boost his popular support but further strained relations with Debrecen. Tensions with Ruvelka soared again in 2008 following the outbreak of fighting in Zemplen. Followign a special election victory and assured by the leadership of the Syaran Commonality Armed Forces that a quick victory was possible, Zhelev agreed to widen the fighting that led to the expansion of the Zemplen War. Zhelev's leadership during the war served as a major source of criticism; his failure to mobilize the Syaran populace and economy in preparation for a prolonged conflict led to Syara facing financial and manpower problems in mid-2009. A year later Syara was decisively defeated during Operation Homefront which forced Zhelev to sue for peace; the resulting Treaty of Aragon forced Syara to cede control of Zemplen, Imerti, and Armavir to Ruvelka. The immediate backlash and nature of the stunning defeat led to the collapse of his administration and he resigned on 3 August 2010.
Since resigning his post, Zhelev has largely stayed out of the public eye. Public opinion polls have routinely graded Zhelev as among the worst leaders in Syaran history, and he is often negatively associated and held responsible for Syara's defeat in the Zemplen War.