Drumev kept close ties with Vasil Levski, Stefan Karadzha and some other Bulgarian revolutionaries.

Although a fairly reluctant political figure, in 1879 Kliment agreed to become Prime Minister on a caretaker basis until elections could be held to fill the vacancy following the collapse of the government of Todor Burmov.

[3] Kliment government was largely inactive, serving only to continue the policies of Burmov until a successor could be appointed.

He served a very brief second term in 1886 after the 9 August coup d'état in an attempt to co-ordinate opposition to the enforced abdication of Alexander of Bulgaria, although before long Stefan Stambolov and Petko Karavelov had taken over.

[6] A strong supporter of Russia, he remained a harsh critic of the new King, although ultimately even his own flock turned against him and he was detained by the government.