In brief
In a significant electoral outcome, Rumen Radev is poised to lead Bulgaria following the recent parliamentary election, with his Progressive Bulgaria party garnering around 37% of the votes. This result positions Radev against former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov’s GERB party, which managed only 16%. Addressing his supporters, Radev emphasized the need for a strong Bulgaria within a robust European framework and hinted at the need for coalition partners to establish a stable government.
Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party looks set to win Sunday's Bulgarian Parliamentary election - the eighth general election in five years. Exit polls put his Progressive Bulgaria on 37%, more than double the score of the closest runner-up, former prime minister Boiko Borisov's GERB on 16%. Three or four other parties look set to cross the 4% threshold and enter Parliament.The election was called after the previous government tried to push through a controversial budget last December, prompting mass demonstrations which Radev, as president, supported. People rejected the self-satisfaction and arrogance of old parties and did not fall prey to lies and manipulation. I thank them for their trust, Radev said, in his victory speech. He promised to build a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe.Radev, 62, is seen as a pragmatic, somewhat pro-Russian leader who has criticized EU sanctions and called for constructive dialogue with the Kremlin. He opposes Bulgarian military support for Ukraine and campaigned on domestic policies aimed at combating corruption and restoring stable governance.Having stepped down after nine years as president in January, Radev's political journey continues as he now seeks coalition partners to secure governance in Bulgaria. While he opposes military supplies to Ukraine, he has been active in bolstering Bulgaria's arms industry, a crucial supplier of ammunition amid ongoing conflict.
