Europe

Rumen Radev towards a clear victory in Bulgaria: political breakthrough and possible tensions with the EU

The former pro-Russian president wins the broadest consensus in decades, promising stability but raising doubts about the future relationship with the European Union.

19 April 2026aggiornato il 20 aprile ore 12:45

Rumen Radev, ex presidente bulgaro e leader della coalizione «Bulgaria Progressista», parla con i media dopo la pubblicazione dei primi exit poll delle elezioni parlamentari, a Sofia, in Bulgaria, il 19 aprile 2026. REUTERS/Spasiyana Sergieva REUTERS

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

In exit polls ahead former president Radev, conservatives collapse
Gerb conservatives defeated
Sofia Stock Exchange (-0.1%) weak after vote result
Kremlin: we welcome the Bulgarian neo-premier's willingness to talk
Berlin: we hope for stable and reliable government for EU challenges
Costa: "I look forward to working together with you"

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Official results are showing that former pro-Russian President Rumen Radev is poised to score a landslide victory in the Bulgarian elections, potentially ending years of weak coalition governments and sidelining long-dominant political forces. The voter turnout, above 50 per cent, is the highest since 2021, according to the polling institute Market Links. This is the country's eighth parliamentary election in five years.

Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party won 44.7% of the vote after 96% of the ballots were counted, 30 points ahead of its nearest challenger. Progressive Bulgaria's tally puts it well ahead of the pro-European Continuing Change-Bulgaria Democratic (Pp-Db) coalition with 14.2%, and the long-dominant Gerb party, led by former prime minister Boyko Borissov, with 13%.

According to a projection by the polling institute Myara, in the country's eighth general election since 2021, Radev's Progressive Bulgaria Party is heading towards an absolute majority with 135 seats in the 240-member chamber. With 78% of the votes counted, Radev is at 44%,.

"Progressive Bulgaria wins unequivocally," Radev, 62, told reporters in Sofia after the projections were published. "This is a victory of hope over distrust. This is a victory of freedom over fear. And finally, this is a victory, if I may say so, of morality."

Radev, the country's most popular politician, stepped down as head of state in January after nine years. to form his own new movement and enter the race after another wave of demonstrations brought down a fragile coalition led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's Gerb party.

Promising to fight what he called a corrupt elite, typical of Borissov, Radev garnered support across the political spectrum with promises toclean up the Bulgarian courts, increase the incomes of working class voters and build bridges with the Kremlin.

Eurosceptic and former Mig-29 fighter pilot and opposed to military support for Ukraine's war effort against Moscow. was commander-in-chief of the Bulgarian Air Force. He has ridden a wave of frustration over political instability in the Balkan nation of 6.5 million people, where voters are fed up with corruptionand veteran parties.

In exit polls former president Radev ahead, conservatives collapse

Twenty-four parties and coalitions are vying for the 240 seats in the unicameral assembly in Sofia, five of which, according to eve polls, are expected to pass the 4% barrier.

Rumen Radev three days ago stated that 'no military aid should be given to Ukraine'. "I am not pro-Russian, I have a pro-Bulgarian position, i.e. realistic". On Kiev, "rash decisions are being made, which do not take into account the consequences. This is leading Bulgaria and the EU towards a crisis'.

Bulgaria, urne aperte nel Paese per l'ottava volta in cinque anni

Gerb Conservatives defeated

What is new in today's vote would be the demise of the Gerb conservatives, who have dominated Bulgarian politics for over a decade. Other big news could be the prediction that for the first time the Socialist Party (Bsp) is likely to remain out of parliament.

Yet another early vote in Bulgaria is being held amid economic stalemate and social malaise over the galloping cost of living after the introduction of the euro earlier this year.

Sofia Stock Exchange (-0.1%) weak after the outcome of the vote

The Sofia Stock Exchange moved little after the vote in Bulgaria that resulted in Rumen Radev's victory. The main index, Bse Sofix, fell slightly by 0.14 per cent to 1,243 points.

Kremlin: we welcome Bulgarian Prime Minister's willingness to engage in dialogue

Russia welcomes Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev's willingness to 'dialogue' while stating that 'it is too early to draw conclusions on a possible change in Europe's attitude towards Russia based on the results of the elections in Hungary and Bulgaria'.

Berlin: we hope for stable and reliable government for EU challenges

- "We hope that a stable government can be formed quickly in Sofia. Because in difficult times, we need reliable partners in the European Union to face the many challenges together. And in this sense, we hope for the formation of a government in Bulgaria." This was said by a German Foreign Ministry spokesman at a press conference, answering questions on the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria.

Costa: 'I look forward to working together with you'

"Congratulations to Rumen Radev on his clear victory in yesterday's parliamentary elections in Bulgaria. It is a pleasure to welcome you back to the European Council," European Council President Antonio Costa wrote on X. "As I communicated to you in our phone call this morning, I look forward to working together with you at the Euco on our common agenda for a prosperous, self-reliant and secure Europe," the European leader specified, wishing "every success in your new task".

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