Bulgaria’s Moscow-friendly former president Rumen Radev has won an absolute majority in parliamentary elections, potentially ending years of weak coalition governments but raising concerns about the country’s alignment with EU policies. With all votes counted, Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party secured 44.6% of the vote, giving it an estimated 131 of 240 seats in the national assembly.
The election, Bulgaria’s eighth since 2021, saw Radev’s party far ahead of the conservative GERB party led by former prime minister Boyko Borissov, which took 13.4%, and the pro-European We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition, which won 12.6%. Radev, a former fighter pilot, campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, tapping into voter anger at entrenched graft.
Radev has pledged to follow Bulgaria’s European path but has criticised EU policies, notably opposing the euro adoption and calling for improved ties with Moscow. He has also opposed sending arms to Ukraine and criticised a defence agreement with Kyiv. The Kremlin welcomed his victory, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praising Radev’s readiness for dialogue.
Despite his pro-Russian leanings, Radev has denied being aligned with the Kremlin and has not used Bulgaria’s veto to block EU decisions. Analysts note his strategic ambiguity on foreign policy, focusing instead on domestic corruption. His majority falls short of the 160 seats needed for judicial overhaul without support from other pro-European parties.
EU diplomats do not expect Radev to become a disruptor like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, but some warn his leadership could accelerate corruption. Dimitar Keranov of the German Marshall Fund said stability alone does not equal reform, and that Radev is a product of the system he claims to dismantle.
