Former President Rumen Radev's Alliance Leads in Bulgarian Parliamentary Elections

The Progressive Bulgaria alliance, led by former President Rumen Radev, has secured a significant lead in Bulgaria's eighth parliamentary election in five years, according to exit polls.

Key points

• Exit polls from Alpha Research indicate the Progressive Bulgaria alliance received over 38% of the vote, ahead of the GERB party's 16%.
• Rumen Radev, a former general and president who resigned in January to run for office, campaigned on anti-corruption and closer ties with Moscow.
• The election follows the December resignation of the previous government amid mass protests over rising living costs.
• Radev has expressed openness to collaborating with the pro-European PP-DB coalition or forming a minority government to ensure stability.

Why it matters

The potential shift toward a government led by Rumen Radev, who opposes military aid to Ukraine and favors improved relations with Russia, could significantly alter Bulgaria's foreign policy within the EU and NATO.