Bulgaria Eighth Election in Five Years Tests EU Alignment

(SOFIA) – Bulgarians are set to vote in their eighth parliamentary election in five years on April 19, with former president Rumen Radev leading opinion polls in a contest shaped by political instability, inflation and corruption concerns.

Across the capital Sofia and along major roads nationwide, campaign material for Radev and his newly formed Progressive Bulgaria party dominates public spaces. Unlike other parties that highlight multiple candidates, his campaign centres almost entirely on his personal profile.

Radev, a former military pilot, was elected president in 2016 and again in 2021. During his presidency, he frequently criticised successive coalition governments while maintaining strong approval ratings. He is known for positions that have often aligned with pro Russian narratives and for opposing Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro.

The election was triggered after the government collapsed in December following mass protests over the state budget. The April 19 vote marks the latest attempt to break a prolonged political deadlock.

Radev resigned from the presidency in January to contest the parliamentary election. Launching his campaign, he said his aim was to dismantle entrenched power structures and reduce poverty.

Opinion polls suggest his Progressive Bulgaria party could secure around 34.2 percent of the vote, well ahead of the centre right GERB SDS alliance on 19.5 percent. The DPS party led by oligarch Delyan Peevski is polling close to the liberal PP DB alliance, at 9.4 percent and 11.6 percent respectively.

Public opinion on Radev remains broadly positive, with some voters describing him as a stabilising figure after years of political turbulence. Others, particularly younger voters, express concern over what they see as a dominant and personalised leadership style.

Analysts say his campaign has attracted support across social groups, drawing voters away from established parties. This has led rivals to focus on consolidating their core support bases rather than expanding their appeal.

Economic concerns dominate voter priorities. Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, and rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict have increased pressure on household budgets. Surveys show inflation is now the leading concern among voters, followed by corruption.

Experts note that fears over inflation have not reached this level since the hyperinflation crisis of 1997. Anti corruption measures remain central to the campaign debate, with Radev placing them at the core of his platform.

Observers say Radev’s support base is divided between voters with pro Russian views and those primarily concerned about corruption. As a result, his campaign messaging has remained deliberately broad to avoid alienating either group.

His backing includes former supporters of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, which governed during the communist era and supported his initial presidential bid. The party now risks failing to enter parliament.

Radev’s record on foreign policy continues to draw scrutiny. While he has not called for Bulgaria to leave the European Union, he has opposed military support for Ukraine and questioned the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia. During his presidency, he declined to describe the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as an aggressor in the war against Ukraine.

Following recent political developments in Hungary, analysts have described Radev as a potential disruptive figure within the European Union should he secure power.

Coalition negotiations are expected to be complex. No party is projected to win a clear majority, and key political groups have yet to confirm whether they would cooperate with Radev’s party.

Some members of Progressive Bulgaria have indicated openness to alliances based on shared policies, particularly anti corruption measures. However, differences over foreign policy could complicate any agreement, especially with parties that support Ukraine and closer EU integration.