In Bulgaria, early parliamentary elections are being held on April 19 – the eighth in the last five years. 24 parties and coalitions are participating, but the main favorite is the Progressive Bulgaria coalition, which a few weeks before the elections created former President Rumen Radev. He promises to fight corruption and restore dialogue with Russia, reports BBC.
What the polls show
According to various polls, Progressive Bulgaria could receive between 30% and 40% of the vote. This is more than any other party, despite the fact that the coalition was created shortly before the elections.
In addition, four more parties have a real chance of entering parliament. The leaders of two of them: Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms were suspected of corruption, the source said.
The Revival party may also enter parliament. Its leader Kostadin Kostadinov visited Russia in November 2025. The Bulgarian Socialist Party, which is also considered pro-Russian, can also overcome the 4 percent barrier.
Political situation
According to the source, the political system of Bulgaria has remained fragmented for five years now – not a single force has been able to stay in power. The current elections are a consequence of the political crisis at the end of 2025.
Then the country witnessed the largest protests in the last decade. At first they were directed against the 2026 budget, but quickly grew into protests against the entire political system and corruption. In December, the government resigned, and the president had to appoint a temporary technical cabinet.
Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic. The National Assembly of 240 deputies passes laws, approves the government and can dismiss it at any time. The stability of power depends on the ability of parties to form a coalition. The president plays an important role in times of crisis: he does not govern the country directly, but can appoint an interim government if the parties do not agree.
Who is Rumen Radev
Rumen Radev resigned as president in 2025, a year before the end of his second term. He officially stated that he wants to become more actively involved in the political life of the country and fight corruption.
Radev is known as a Eurosceptic. He criticized the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2026, without holding a referendum, and opposed increasing military assistance to Ukraine. Radev believes that “there is no military solution to this conflict.” He also emphasized that “the Bulgarian people do not perceive Russia as an enemy, regardless of the propaganda on the screens of some impostors.”
Radev stated the need to “restore dialogue with Russia.”
According to the source, if the poll results are confirmed, Radev will have to either join a coalition to form a majority or create a minority government.
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