Former Bulgarian President, pro-Russian Rumen Radev, is the favorite to win the early parliamentary elections, according to exit polls, but he will not be able to form a majority government on his own.
His party, „Bulgaria Progresistă,” a coalition of three parties, is expected to receive less than 40% of the votes, as reported by Reuters and Politico.
Clear Lead, but Insufficient for Governance
Exit polls indicate a score between 37.5% and 38.9% for Radev's party, according to Alpha Research and Market Links institutes. The result comfortably places him in first position, with a score over twice as high as his closest competitors, but insufficient to govern without partners.
In these circumstances, the key to forming the future government will be Radev's ability to build a coalition. An alliance with pro-European reformists would maintain Bulgaria's Western direction, while collaboration with socialists and nationalists could lead to a governance bloc closer to Moscow.
A former fighter pilot and commander of the air forces, Radev is known for his eurosceptic views and criticism of military support to Ukraine. Over time, he has advocated for peace negotiations and expressed controversial opinions, including the idea that Crimea is "Russian," which has drawn criticism from political opponents.
An Election Amid Political Crisis
Sunday's elections mark the eighth ballot held in Bulgaria in the last five years, amidst political instability and public dissatisfaction with the political class. Preliminary data shows a voter turnout of approximately 43.4%.
Radev entered the electoral race after resigning from the presidency in January, following protests that led to the fall of the previous government. He built his campaign on an anti-oligarchic discourse, promising the "recovery" of the state, but insists that his positions are "pro-Bulgarian and pro-European," rejecting accusations of closeness to Russia.