Mr Kostov is particularly keen that Yugoslavia's new leader should treat the country's 60, 000 ethnic Bulgarians better.

ECONOMIST: Fresh hope for Bulgaria

As for continuity of government, that depends on whether Mr Kostov can keep the five factions in his coalition under control.

ECONOMIST: Sprucing up Bulgaria

Mr Kostov has chosen two presentable politicians to do the lobbying: Peter Stoyanov, the president, and Alexander Bozhkov, the deputy prime minister.

ECONOMIST: Sprucing up Bulgaria