The pro-Russian former President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, won the parliamentary elections according to the latest results from Sunday’s poll.
Results indicate that Progressive Bulgaria (PB), a coalition led by Radev, has emerged as the clear front-runner. With over 60% of ballots counted, the coalition is projected to secure approximately 45% of the vote, potentially giving them an outright majority in the 240-seat parliament.
Who is Rumen Radev?
Rumen Radev (born 1963) is a former Bulgarian Air Force general and fighter pilot who served as the President of Bulgaria for nine years (2017–2026). In January 2026, Radev made the historic decision to resign from the largely ceremonial presidency—the first such resignation in Bulgaria’s post-communist history—to form the Progressive Bulgaria party and contest the parliamentary election.
Radev is widely viewed as a left-leaning populist and a Eurosceptic. He has campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption, promising to dismantle the “oligarchic governance model” that many Bulgarians believe has hindered the nation’s progress.
His foreign policy views have been a subject of significant international debate, as he has opposed providing direct military aid to Ukraine and has advocated for rebuilding practical diplomatic and economic relations with Russia, citing Bulgaria’s unique position as a Slavic and Eastern Orthodox EU member.
The election follows months of mass anti-corruption protests and a series of fragmented parliaments that have struggled to form stable governments since 2021. Many voters are weary of the chronic political crisis and hope that a Radev-led government will bring the stability needed to address issues such as systemic corruption and economic development.
The runner-up parties, including the liberal We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) and the conservative GERB party, have faced significant losses, reflecting a major shift in the Bulgarian political landscape.
Related: Bulgaria Adopts the Euro: How Will it Affect Greece? – Greek Reporter
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