Progressive Bulgaria, the new party led by former president Rumen Radev, secured a commanding victory in Bulgaria’s snap general election, official results showed. The party won 44.6% of the vote and is projected to take roughly 130 of the 240 parliamentary seats — one of the largest single-party mandates in recent Bulgarian history.
The result left Progressive Bulgaria far ahead of the pro-EU We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) alliance and the long-time center-right force GERB, headed by former prime minister Boyko Borissov. The outcome positions Radev’s grouping as the strongest force in the next legislature, though the final makeup and stability of the government will depend on post-election negotiations and possible alliances.
Radev, a former air force general who served three presidential terms before stepping down in January to run, has campaigned on tackling what he calls the country’s “oligarchic governance model.” He has urged high turnout, saying mass participation is the best way to curb vote-buying. His platform includes criticism of some EU policies and a call to renew relations with Russia; he has also questioned military aid to Ukraine even while formally condemning Russia’s invasion and saying he would not block EU assistance to Kyiv.
The Kremlin welcomed the victory, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Bulgaria and stressed the country’s role within the European Union and cooperation on shared challenges.
This snap election followed the resignation of a conservative-led government amid anti-corruption protests last December and comes after a prolonged period of political instability — the eighth national vote in five years. Bulgaria, the EU’s poorest member, has seen repeated upheaval since 2021 when Boyko Borissov’s government fell amid mass demonstrations. The country is a NATO member and recently joined the Schengen area and the eurozone, entering the single currency on January 1.
Borissov, speaking after voting, at first suggested GERB would remain outside governing coalitions and act as a constructive opposition. He later acknowledged that election victory is only the first step and that post-election talks will determine who governs.
Radev’s party is now well placed to try to form a government. Whether it can translate its sizable parliamentary presence into a stable administration will be decided in the coming weeks as coalition discussions and parliamentary negotiations unfold.