Rumen Radev leads Bulgaria to a new single-party era

Sofia, Bulgaria - April 20, 2026 - Bulgaria held early parliamentary elections on April 19, 2026 - the eighth general election in five years. According to preliminary official results from the Central Election Commission (with over 90-99% of votes counted), the Progressive Bulgaria coalition led by former President Rumen Radev won approximately 43.9-44.7% of the vote. This translates into an outright majority of around 130 seats in the 240-seat National Assembly (121 seats are required for a majority).

This is the first time since the 1997 parliamentary elections that a single political formation has secured an absolute majority on its own, ending years of fragile coalitions and caretaker governments.

Radev's transition from presidency

Rumen Radev, who served as President of Bulgaria from 2017 to January 2026, resigned from the presidency in January 2026 - the first such resignation by a sitting Bulgarian head of state in the post-communist era - to lead the newly formed Progressive Bulgaria coalition in the election campaign.

The campaign centered on fighting corruption, reducing oligarchic influence in state institutions, judicial reform, and promoting "Bulgarian pragmatism" in governance and foreign policy. Radev described the result as a "victory of hope" and pledged to bring stability after prolonged political gridlock.

Domestic implications

With an absolute majority, Progressive Bulgaria can form a government independently and pass legislation without formal coalition partners. This removes the frequent parliamentary obstruction seen in recent years.

The new government will face immediate challenges, including:

• Implementing effective anti-corruption measures and judicial reforms.
• Addressing Bulgaria's economic issues as the EU's poorest member state.
• Reducing the influence of powerful business interests on state affairs.

Radev has indicated willingness to cooperate with pro-European parties, particularly the We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition, on constitutional changes and judicial reform.

Analysts and civil society groups have noted both the potential for greater governmental stability and concerns regarding the concentration of power in a single political force.

Foreign policy positions

Radev is frequently described in international reporting as Russia-friendly or pro-Russian. During his presidency and the campaign, he:

• Opposed additional EU sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine.
• Advocated for pragmatic, interest-based relations with Moscow, including possible energy cooperation.
• Criticized certain aspects of EU policy while stating that Bulgaria would remain a member of the European Union and NATO.

He has emphasized a transactional approach focused on Bulgarian national interests rather than automatic alignment on every international issue. International observers, particularly in Brussels and Washington, will monitor the new government's adherence to EU rule-of-law standards and NATO commitments.

Election results overview

• Progressive Bulgaria (Rumen Radev): ~43.9-44.7%, ~130 seats (majority).
• GERB-SDS (Boyko Borissov): ~13.2%, ~39 seats.
• We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB): ~12.4%, ~37 seats.

Other parties, including the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and Revival, are expected to secure fewer seats, while the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) appears to have fallen below the threshold in some projections.

The new National Assembly is expected to convene in the coming weeks, with Radev positioned to become the next Prime Minister.