Progressive Bulgaria, led by former president Rumen Radev, scored a commanding victory in Bulgaria’s snap general election, official tallies show. The party took 44.6% of the vote, projecting to about 130 seats in the 240-seat National Assembly — one of the largest parliamentary mandates in recent Bulgarian history.
Progressive Bulgaria finished well ahead of the pro-European We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition and the long-dominant center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), headed by former prime minister Boyko Borissov.
The result drew reactions from both Brussels and Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was “impressed by the statements made by Mr Radev,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Radev and said she looked forward to cooperating with Bulgaria on shared challenges.
The snap vote followed the resignation of a conservative-led government after widespread anti-corruption protests last December. Bulgaria, the EU’s poorest member and a NATO ally, has been mired in political instability since 2021 and has now held eight national elections in five years. The country recently entered the eurozone on January 1 and joined the Schengen travel area.
After polls closed, Radev vowed to prevent another round of voting, calling repeated elections “ruinous for Bulgaria” and urging strong turnout as a way to counter vote-buying. Many supporters and observers hope the new mandate will break the long-running political stalemate.
About Rumen Radev
Rumen Radev, 62, a former air force general who served nine years as president, resigned in January to lead the newly formed center-left grouping into the snap contest. He built his campaign around promises to dismantle what he called an “oligarchic governance model.” Radev has advocated for renewed ties with Russia and has been critical of some EU policies — notably certain green energy measures he considers unrealistic. He has criticized military aid to Ukraine while officially condemning Russia’s invasion and stating he would not use Bulgaria’s EU veto to block assistance to Kyiv.
Borissov and GERB
Boyko Borissov initially appeared pessimistic about GERB’s chances, saying his party would not join coalitions and positioning it as a constructive opposition focused on geopolitics and national defense. He later struck a more pragmatic tone, acknowledging the difference between winning votes and forming a government and leaving open the possibility that GERB could either govern or oppose while stressing patience in negotiations.
Background
The election was triggered by anti-corruption protests and the collapse of the previous conservative-led administration. Voters and analysts alike are watching to see whether Radev’s significant mandate will deliver the political stability many in Bulgaria have been seeking.