02/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - Death of President Zhelev. It was with “great sadness” that Jean-Claude Juncker learned of the death of Zhelyu Zhelev, at the age of 79. He will remain in the history not only of Bulgaria, but also of Europe, as the first democratically elected Bulgarian President. The President of the Commission described him as having “laid the foundations for the country's transition to democratic governance” and set it on the path of European integration, “in very difficult times”. Zhelev believed strongly in Europe and his legacy remains and will continue to inspire generations of Bulgarian and European citizens, Juncker concluded. A philosopher and teacher by training, Zhelev served as President of Bulgaria from 1990 to 1996, winning the first free presidential elections of the post-Communist era. (LC)