Pro-Russia former president Rumen Radev has secured a landslide victory in Bulgaria’s election, sidelining long-dominant parties and potentially nudging the EU and NATO member closer to Moscow.
The result marks one of the most decisive wins in years and could ease the instability that triggered eight elections in five years.
Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party had 44.7% of the vote after 91.7% of ballots were counted, suggesting it could rule alone, but he has not ruled out a coalition with a pro-European group or a smaller party.
Progressive Bulgaria’s tally put it far ahead of the pro-European We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition with 13.2%, and the long-dominant GERB party, led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, at 13.4%.
A eurosceptic and former fighter pilot opposed to military support for Ukraine’s war effort against Moscow, Radev stepped down from Bulgaria’s largely ceremonial presidency in January to run in the parliamentary election after mass protests forced out the previous government in December.
He capitalised on public frustration over instability, corruption and long-dominant political parties.
Questions Over Foreign Policy
Radev’s campaign drew comparisons with Hungary’s pro-Kremlin former Prime Minister Viktor Orban when he talked about improving ties with Moscow and resuming the free flow of Russian oil and gas into Europe.
He also criticised the European Union for relying too heavily on renewable energy.
However, Radev has been vague on policy and it is not yet clear how much he will change foreign policy in Bulgaria, a Black Sea nation on the EU’s southeastern flank which joined the euro zone in January — a move Radev has criticised.
Analysts do not expect him to try to reverse Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro or to block wider EU aid packages to Ukraine.
Cost Of Living Concerns
Bulgaria has developed rapidly since the fall of communism in 1989 and joined the EU in 2007. Life expectancy has risen sharply, unemployment is the lowest in the EU, and the economy has greater safeguards since adopting the euro.
The cost of living has become a particular issue since Bulgaria joined the EU. The previous government fell amid protests against a new budget proposing tax increases and higher social security contributions.
(With inputs from Reuters)
