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Radev on Course for Big Win as Progressive Bulgaria Nears 45% in Snap Vote

His rise could test EU unity on Russia and reshape Bulgaria’s stance on aid to Ukraine.

Overview

  • Following Sunday’s snap election, near-complete official tallies on Monday show Progressive Bulgaria at roughly 44–45%, putting Rumen Radev in position to form the next government.
  • Seat projections point to a possible working majority, with Radev awaiting formal nomination by President Iliana Iotova and deciding whether to govern alone or seek partners.
  • Official counts place reformist PP-DB near 14% and Boyko Borissov’s GERB around 13–16%, with Vazrazhdane and the MRF also clearing the 4% threshold to enter parliament.
  • Radev, a eurosceptic former president, opposes sending arms to Ukraine and has urged warmer ties with Moscow, though he has signaled he would not block EU aid to Kyiv.
  • The vote followed mass anti-corruption protests that toppled the government in December, with police staging nationwide raids on vote-buying that seized over €1 million and led to hundreds of detentions, as cost-of-living strains after euro adoption sharpened voter priorities.