US EditionBulgaria's pro-Russian former president leads election race on anti-graft ticket
Rumen Radev’s party leads with about 30% support, but polls show it falls short of a majority and may need coalition partners.
- On Sunday, April 19, Bulgaria will hold its eighth parliamentary election in five years as voters seek to end a persistent political crisis. Former President Rumen Radev has emerged as a leading candidate, promising stability to the nation of 6.5 million.
- Corruption in Bulgaria has eroded trust in democratic elections, with the country ranking 84th in the Transparency International 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index. It is tied with Hungary as the European Union's lowest-scoring nation, prompting widespread calls for reform.
- With around 30% support, Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party leads polls, bolstered by over 650,000 euros in private donations. His pro-Russian stance and opposition to security agreements with Ukraine complicate coalition-building efforts.
- Experts warn that forming a stable government will be difficult as Radev's party remains far short of a majority. Tihomir Bezlov, a senior fellow at the Centre for the Study of Democracy, suggests Radev may struggle to forge alliances.
- A victory for Radev could redefine Bulgaria's foreign policy, potentially shifting alignment away from Brussels. Observers worry this might antagonize European Union and NATO partners as Radev seeks to restore relations with Moscow.
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17 Articles
Bulgaria's former president and air force commander, Rumen Radev, is on course to win Sunday's general election, pledging to fight the ubiquitous "mafia state" he claims is undermining the EU's least developed member, Politico reports.
Bulgaria's pro-Russian former president leads election race on anti-graft ticket
In a grassy valley in rural southern Bulgaria, farmer Nikolay Vasiliev is desperate for change. For years, he said, corrupt local officials have blocked plans to expand his cattle-raising business. Revolving governments in the capital Sofia have failed to uproot graft or support the area's cratered economy.
Radev dominates Bulgaria's social media with millions of calls. Experts doubt real support. Europe fears a new problem case.
Rumen Radev, a former fighter pilot who resigned as president in January, is ahead in the polls ahead of early parliamentary elections being held in Bulgaria… Elections in Bulgaria: Lead in the polls for former president Radev, critic of military aid to Ukraine - NAVTEMPORIKI
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