Bulganin takes over the post. Khrushchev's consolidation of power now complete. Party journal Kommunist also stresses this point. Poor weather in virgin lands areas. Almost all spring wheat sown in virgin lands perishes.
Relations remain icy.
In closed Party meeting in Bulgaria, for the first time he criticizes Stalin. Warsaw pact established. Has difficult meeting with Labour Party, which asks him to intervene in cases of 200 Social Democrats imprisoned in the Eastern bloc. Khrushchev interrprets this as a calculated insult. Great harvest in virgin lands.