Lilov was chosen to take the new office. Mladenov's resignation as party leader removed the stigma of party interference in government. On 3 April the State Council was abolished and replaced by an executive presidency. Mladenov was elected as the first holder of this post by the National Assembly. In April 1990, the Communist Party reorganized itself as a Western-style social democratic party, the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Mladenov resigned as President in July 1990 after allegedly suggesting the use of tanks against anti-government demonstration in December 1989, securing a place in history with the phrase 'The tanks had better come' (). He did not run in the 1990 elections and largely retired from public life. Death Mladenov underwent a heart bypass in Houston in 1986, leaving him in frail health in the ensuing years. He died on 31 May 2000 in Sofia. References External links 1937 births 2000 deaths Presidents of Bulgaria Foreign ministers of Bulgaria Bulgarian Communist Party politicians Moscow State Institute of International Relations alumni People from Vidin Province People from Vidin Grand Officers of the Order of the White Lion