Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria Leads Election
Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party appears poised to win Sunday's Bulgarian Parliamentary election, marking the eighth general election in five years.
With over 60% of votes counted, Progressive Bulgaria (PB) leads with 45%, according to the Central Electoral Commission, securing an absolute majority of at least 132 seats in the 240-seat parliament.
PB outperformed the liberal PP-DB coalition, which holds 15%, and former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov's GERB party, which has 13%, based on commission data.
Election Background and Radev's Victory Speech
The election was called after the previous government attempted to pass a controversial budget in December, triggering mass protests supported by President Radev.
"People rejected the self-satisfaction and arrogance of old parties and did not fall prey to lies and manipulation. I thank them for their trust," Radev said in his victory speech.
He pledged to build "a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe" and emphasized the need for Europe to adopt critical thinking, pragmatic actions, and deliver good results, particularly in establishing a new security architecture and restoring industrial power and competitiveness.
"What Europe needs right now is critical thinking, pragmatic actions and good results, especially to build a new security architecture and 3 recover its industrial power and competitiveness. That will be the main contribution of Bulgaria to its European mission," he said.
Radev's Political Profile and Election Platform
At 62, Radev is regarded as a pragmatic, somewhat pro-Russian leader who has criticized EU sanctions and advocated for constructive dialogue with the Kremlin. He opposes Bulgarian military support for Ukraine.
His campaign focused primarily on domestic issues, promising to fight corruption and restore stable governance after years of fragile coalitions.
Having stepped down as president in January after nine years, Radev formed his new movement to contest this election.
A former Mig-29 fighter pilot and commander-in-chief of the Bulgarian Air Force, Radev's victory is notable by Bulgarian standards but does not grant Progressive Bulgaria a strong enough mandate to govern independently.
In his initial speech on Sunday evening, Radev indicated he is seeking coalition partners.
Bulgaria's Role in Arms Supply and Defense Industry
Bulgaria plays a significant role as a supplier of ammunition and explosives to Ukraine, often routed through neighboring Romania.
The ongoing war has revitalized an arms industry that had struggled since the Soviet era.
Since 2022, Radev has frequently voiced opposition to selling Bulgaria's Soviet-era weapons stockpile to Ukraine, arguing that such sales prolong a conflict Ukraine cannot win, a stance similar to that of outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The VMZ factory in Sopot, located two hours east of Sofia, produces explosives and NATO-grade 155 mm artillery shells.
In October 2025, German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall announced a 1 billion joint venture with VMZ to produce up to 100,000 155mm shells annually.
A separate gunpowder factory is also planned in Sopot, with Rheinmetall holding a 51% share.
This production is part of broader European efforts to scale up military manufacturing.
While opposing military supplies to Ukraine, Radev took credit for inviting Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger to Bulgaria in March 2025.
"Bulgaria is becoming part of the European defence ecosystem," Radev said during a visit to Rheinmetall's headquarters in Unterluss, Germany, in August 2025.
Radev's anticipated position as head of government is expected to resemble that of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico—critical of EU support for Ukraine but not obstructing private companies' arms production for Ukraine.
