along with Georgi Dimitrov in convincing the Bulgarian Communist Party to organize an insurrection in accordance with Comintern instructions. Kolarov was a member of the revolutionary committee which launched that uprising in September 1923. This attempted revolution failed and Kolarov was forced to flee to the Soviet Union by way of Yugoslavia and Austria. He remained in exile for more than two decades. Kolarov remained a top official of the Communist International, presiding over the body's debates at the 5th World Congress of 1924. He was re-elected to the ECCI and its governing Presidium at the 5th, 6th, and 7th Congresses. Kolarov was President of the Executive Committee of the Peasant International (Krestintern) from 1928 until its dissolution in 1939. He also served as director of the International Agrarian Institute in Moscow during this period. In 1943, Kolarov signed the document formally dissolving the Communist International. Return to Bulgaria Kolarov returned to Bulgaria in 1945 during its occupation by the Soviet Union, and was elected to the National Assembly again. He was reelected in 1946 and became provisional president of Bulgaria that year, amidst the growing domination of the communists. He remained president until the formation of the government headed by Dimitrov in December 1947, which he entered as deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. When Dimitrov died in July 1949, Kolarov was elected to Dimitrov's old post as prime minister. He served until his own death a few months later. Death and legacy Kolarov died in Sofia on 23 January 1950. His funeral was held as a state funeral and his body was buried in the Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum. His city of birth, Shumen, was named Kolarovgrad in his honor between 1950 and 1965. Footnotes External links Presidents of Bulgaria Prime Ministers of Bulgaria Chairpersons of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Deputy prime ministers of Bulgaria Foreign ministers of Bulgaria Members of the National Assembly (Bulgaria) Stalinism Anti-revisionists Bulgarian Comintern people Executive Committee of the Communist International Bulgarian expatriates in the Soviet Union 1877 births 1950 deaths People from Shumen Bulgarian Communist Party politicians Bulgarian communists People granted political asylum in the Soviet Union 20th-century Bulgarian politicians Grand Crosses of the Order of the White Lion