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Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday for the eighth parliamentary election in five years, with former president Rumen Radev's center-left Progressive Bulgaria coalition expected to win on a pledge to fight corruption and end the political instability that has plagued the EU's poorest member state since 2021.

Opinion polls before the vote suggested Radev's grouping could secure around 35 percent of the vote, according to reports from AFP, Deutsche Welle, and RFI. Projections from polling agencies cited by The Guardian put Progressive Bulgaria at 44 percent, which would give the coalition an absolute majority of at least 129 seats in the 240-seat parliament.

Radev, a former air force general who served as president for nine years before stepping down in January to lead the newly formed coalition, has promised to dismantle what he calls the country's "oligarchic governance model" and to stamp out corruption.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the election has been broadly consistent across outlets, with all sources noting the expected victory of Radev's coalition and the backdrop of political crisis since 2021. Deutsche Welle and RFI emphasized Radev's pledge to combat corruption and his popularity among voters, while The Guardian's coverage highlighted his Eurosceptic positions and potential implications for Bulgaria's relations with Russia and the EU.

France 24 noted that Bulgaria has been "mired in a political crisis" since anti-corruption rallies toppled the conservative government of long-time leader Boyko Borissov in 2021. All five sources referenced the eighth election in five years, underscoring the voters' fatigue with repeated votes and unstable governments.

Key Claims

  • Election Context: Bulgaria has held eight parliamentary elections since 2021, following mass anti-corruption protests that brought down successive governments. The previous conservative-led government resigned in December after nationwide demonstrations against a budget proposing tax increases and higher social security contributions, as reported by AFP and The Guardian.
  • Rumen Radev's Background and Platform: Radev, 62, is a former air force general and served as president from 2017 to 2026. He stepped down in January to lead Progressive Bulgaria, a new center-left coalition. He has pledged to fight corruption and end the cycle of weak governments, according to multiple outlets. Radev has also called for renewing ties with Russia and has opposed sending military aid to Ukraine, although he has officially denounced Russia's invasion and said he would not use Bulgaria's veto to block EU decisions on Ukraine, per Deutsche Welle.
  • Expected Results: Opinion polls before the election suggested Progressive Bulgaria could win around 35 percent of the vote, with Borissov's pro-European GERB party likely to come second at about 20 percent, ahead of the liberal PP-DB, according to AFP and DW. The Guardian reported projections from polling agencies putting Radev's grouping at 44 percent, with partial results after 80 percent of votes counted broadly confirming the polls.
  • Radev's Victory Speech: After exit polls, Radev hailed a "victory of hope" and declared that Bulgaria "would make efforts to continue on its European path," referencing the country's eurozone accession earlier this year, as reported by The Guardian.
  • Bulgaria's Progress and Challenges: Since the fall of communism in 1989, Bulgaria has developed rapidly, joining the EU in 2007 and the eurozone in January 2026. Life expectancy has risen, and unemployment is among the lowest in the EU, but the cost of living has become a major issue since adopting the euro, and concerns about vote-buying persist, according to The Guardian.

Perspectives

Supporters of Radev: Many voters see Radev as a credible anti-corruption figure who can bring stability. At his final campaign rally, 28-year-old philosophy teacher Lazar Lazarov told AFP: "Radev's cause is for Bulgaria to have a future... He's the one who is most acceptable for the EU, the United States, Russia and, if you like, even for China." Retired engineer Stiliana Andonova, after voting, said, "Everything simply has to change," citing the judicial system and corruption.

Concerns About Geopolitical Shift: Some voters and observers worry that Radev's Eurosceptic views and calls for closer ties with Moscow could alter Bulgaria's geopolitical orientation. Gergana Mihailova, a 47-year-old finance expert, told AFP: "There is a huge risk that Bulgaria could change its geopolitical course and orientation." The Guardian noted that Radev could become a "tricky partner" in the European Council, similar to Hungary's Viktor Orbán, though his focus is likely to be on domestic reforms.

Radev's Reassurances: Radev has sought to calm such concerns, stating he will continue on Bulgaria's European path and will not veto EU aid to Ukraine. He has also criticized the EU's green energy policy, calling it naive "in a world without rules," but has not indicated any intention to block broader EU cooperation.