Bulgaria snap election may bring Rumen Radev as prime minister

Bulgaria is preparing for snap parliamentary elections on Sunday, with former president Rumen Radev poised to become prime minister.

Radev resigned from the presidency in January 2026 to run for the prime ministership, leading the newly formed Progressive Bulgaria movement.

Polls indicate Progressive Bulgaria could secure between 32% and 38% of the vote, positioning it as the leading party.

However, forming a coalition government remains a significant challenge given Bulgaria's fragmented political landscape.

The country has experienced considerable political instability, with seven prime ministers since 2021 and none completing a full term.

Currently, Bulgaria is governed by an interim president, Ilijana Jotova, and an interim prime minister, Andrey Gyurov.

Radev, a former air force commander known for his pro-Russian views, has pledged to combat what he describes as a "mafia state" undermining Bulgaria.

He has expressed skepticism about Bulgaria's support for Ukraine and its planned entry into the eurozone this year, while showing some openness to Russian oil imports.

Bulgaria's historical and cultural ties to Russia, as the cradle of the Cyrillic alphabet and a predominantly Orthodox country, underpin Radev's stance.

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