Parliamentary elections were held for the first time in Eastern Rumelia on 7 October 1879.Statelova, Elena. Eastern Rumelia (1879/1885) economy, politics, culture. , 1983, p. 75-76.
Background The autonomous region of Eastern Rumelia, established by the Treaty of Berlin and the , was headed by a Sublime Porte-chosen who led and, alongside the Sultan, appointed the of the province. He additionally appointed 10 members of the legislature, the , with a further 10 representatives of the judiciary, ethnic and religious minorities serving as ex officio members. The remaining 36 MPs were elected for 4 year terms, with half the seats up for reelection every 2 years. The Assembly also elected an additional legislative body, the .
Results As the election was held on a non-partisan basis, candidates were divided predominantly on ethnic lines. 32 of the elected and 40 of the total MPs were ethnic Bulgarians.
Aftermath Although initially non-partisan, a dominant faction led by the Ivan Geshov began to form. By the 1881 election most of its opposition had consolidated into the Liberal Party.
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