Pro-Russia Rumen Radev Wins Landslide in Bulgarian Election, Set to Become Prime Minister

Sofia,— Bulgaria’s former President Rumen Radev has secured a decisive victory in the country’s parliamentary elections, with his newly formed center-left party, Progressive Bulgaria, winning an absolute majority. This marks the eighth general election in just five years and ends years of political instability and fragile coalitions.
According to official results with nearly all votes counted, Progressive Bulgaria captured approximately 44.7% of the vote, securing around 130–135 seats in the 240-seat National Assembly — enough to form a government alone for the first time since 1997. The once-dominant GERB party of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov trailed far behind with about 13.4%, while the pro-European We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition received roughly 12.8–13.2%.f662e4
Radev, a former fighter pilot and air force commander known for his Russia-friendly stance, stepped down as president in January to lead the new party. He campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, criticizing the “arrogance” and “lies” of traditional parties. After the results, he described the win as “a victory of hope over desperation, freedom over fear.”
The outcome is expected to bring greater political stability to Bulgaria, an EU and NATO member. However, Radev’s positions — including opposition to military aid for Ukraine and calls for renewed dialogue with Russia — have raised concerns in some Western circles about Bulgaria’s future alignment within the EU. He has not ruled out limited cooperation with pro-European groups on specific issues like judicial reform.
Both Russia and the European Union have welcomed the result. The Kremlin expressed encouragement over Radev’s emphasis on pragmatic dialogue, while EU leaders, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, congratulated him and expressed readiness to work together for Bulgaria’s and Europe’s prosperity and security.
Analysts see this as a potential shift, giving Moscow a new voice inside the EU, though Radev has generally aligned with European positions in key forums when required.