Former Bulgarian president Rumen Radev's center-left coalition secured a decisive victory in parliamentary elections, capturing 44.6% of the vote and ending the nation's fifth year of political instability that has undermined governance and institutional integrity, the country's central electoral commission announced Monday.
With all ballots counted, Radev's Progressive Bulgaria coalition finished some 30 percentage points ahead of the center-right GERB party of veteran leader Boyko Borissov and the pro-Western reformist bloc led by the We Continue the Change party, which ran almost neck and neck at 13.4% and 12.6% respectively. Borissov conceded defeat and congratulated Radev. Two other parties also appear to have gained seats in the 240-seat chamber, according to the latest results.
The Mandate for Reform
Radev described his party's victory as unequivocal, a "victory of hope over distrust, a victory of freedom over fear," saying Bulgaria would "make every effort to continue on its European path." He also said: "But believe me, a strong Bulgaria and a strong Europe need critical thinking and pragmatism. Europe has fallen victim to its own ambition to be a moral leader in a world without rules."
The 62-year-old former fighter pilot earned a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Air War College 23 years ago, before being appointed Bulgarian air force commander. Radev resigned from the mostly ceremonial presidency same year in January, a few months before the end of his second term, to launch a bid to lead the government in the more powerful role as prime minister.
His supporters are divided between those hoping he will put an end to the country's oligarchic corruption and those lining up behind his euroskeptic and Russia-friendly views. At campaign rallies he vowed to "remove the corrupt, oligarchic model of governance from political power."
Foreign Policy Tensions
During his presidency, Radev gained a reputation as being sympathetic to Russia. He repeatedly opposed EU efforts to send military aid to Ukraine for its war against Russia's full-scale invasion. He has often argued that supporting Ukraine risks drawing Bulgaria into the war and has favored reopening talks with Russia as a way out of the conflict.
Maria Simeonova, head of the Sofia Office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, said that although as president Radev often expressed pro-Russian statements, prompting comparisons to a "new Orbán," given his landslide victory at home, he is likely to now seek external legitimacy through building relationships with other European leaders. Simeonova said, "Radev is unlikely to openly adopt an Orbán-style rhetoric, at least in his engagement with European counterparts. His criticism — particularly regarding financial and military support for Ukraine or sanctions against Russia — will be aimed primarily at the domestic audience."
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday congratulated Radev on his election victory. She posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Bulgaria is a proud member of the European family and plays an important role in tackling our common challenges. I look forward to working together, for the prosperity and security of Bulgaria and Europe."
Institutional Reform Challenges
Bulgaria's previous conservative government collapsed same year in December after nationwide anti-corruption protests drew hundreds of thousands of mainly young people to the streets. Radev's popularity surged as he cast himself as an opponent of the entrenched mafia and their ties to high-ranking politicians.
NATO and EU member Bulgaria has been repeatedly criticized for not tackling corruption and for deficiencies in the rule of law. Vessela Tcherneva, Deputy Director of the Berlin-based European Council on Foreign Relations, said that the most important task for Radev's government will not be foreign policy but rather freeing Bulgarian institutions from the control of Borissov and the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Delyan Peevski, an oligarch sanctioned for corruption by the US and Britain. Tcherneva added, "For that he would get support from the reformist pro-European coalition We Continue the Change in parliament."
Since 2021, the nation of 6.5 million has struggled with fragmented parliaments that produced weak governments, none of which managed to survive more than a year before being brought down by street protests or backroom deals in parliament.
Tired of the seemingly never-ending election roulette, people on the street reacted with mixed feelings to the latest election results. Nikoleta Dimitrova, a 37-year-old shop assistant from Sofia, said: "Above all, we expect a more stable judicial system, and for trust in institutions to truly be restored. Until now, they have been heavily influenced by various figures, many of whom, as we can see from the current results, have now left the government."
Accountant Cveta Gerogieva, 55, said: "I hope that we will really live a better life, but I am not sure that there will be stability for a long period. Probably we will vote again."
Why This Matters:
Bulgaria's election outcome carries significant implications for European security and institutional governance. The country's fifth year of political fragmentation has weakened its ability to address endemic corruption and institutional deficiencies that undermine the rule of law—challenges repeatedly identified by NATO and EU partners. Radev's mandate centers on dismantling oligarchic networks, including those tied to US and British-sanctioned figures, which have captured state institutions and distorted market competition. His foreign policy stance, particularly regarding Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions, introduces uncertainty into NATO's eastern flank at a critical juncture. The tension between domestic anti-corruption reforms and potential divergence from Western security consensus will test whether Bulgaria can strengthen its institutions while maintaining its strategic commitments. For European partners, the question is whether Radev's pragmatic approach represents necessary realism or risks enabling authoritarian influence in a strategically vital Balkans member state.