A PRO-Putin, former fighter pilot has been voted in as Bulgaria’s newest leader in a landslide victory with Kremlin officials looking “favourably” on the result.
Rumen Radev, 62, leader of the populist Progressive Bulgaria (PB) coalition, with 45 per cent of the vote.
The new Bulgarian leader has said he would look to strengthen the country’s relationship with Russia Credit: AFP
Rumen Radev, former Bulgarian president and leader of Progressive Bulgaria coalition, won the Bulgarian election over the weekend Credit: Reuters
The result could see a boost in ‘s continued efforts to undermine the (EU).
A staunch critic of the EU, Radev ran his campaign calling for renewed discussions with .
The celebrated the election result, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Putin’s pals looked “favourably” on Radev’s push for greater communication between the nations.
The PB coalition is slated to take at least 130 of the 240-seat legislature in the EU’s poorest nation.
But the economic standpoint of Bulgaria could see Radev’s position soften towards Brussels.
The nation of 6.5 million people adopted the Euro as its currency in January.
European Commission Chief made a statement following his victory.
“I look forward to working together,” she said on Monday.
Speaking to local media, Radev said his party “won unequivocally” on a campaign of “anti-graft” promises.
He added that Bulgaria would “make every effort to continue on its European path”.
Radev – who resigned from his position as president earlier this year – said the entire region needed a shake-up.
“A strong Bulgaria and a strong need critical thinking and pragmatism,” he said.
The southeastern European nation has had eight general elections in five years.
Over the weekend, the result was the first outright parliamentary majority for a single formation in Bulgaria since 1997.
Anti-corruption rallies in 2021 collapsed the conservative administration of the long-time pro-European leader Boyko Borissov.
Radev supported and attended several similar anti-graft demonstrations last year, ending the latest conservative-backed government.
The Kremlin said it looked favourably on the election result Credit: AFP
Radev spoke to the media in Sofia after the polls closed on Sunday Credit: AP
“Between the voice of the people and the fear of the mafia — listen to the public squares!”, he posted at the time.
Many Bulgarians are now waiting to see if Radev and his administration uphold his election promises.
“[A] question is whether Radev’s party has people who can govern, since it was only recently established,” youth programme manager, Gergana Yakimova, 30, said.
“I want to see what happens.”
Engineer Iliya Dukadinov, 67, said: “I don’t think this is the best possible outcome, but it’s what the majority of people decided”.
“I don’t think this cabinet will last very long,” he added.
Landscaper Trayanka Ilieva, 48, said she hoped Radev would bring back Bulgaria’s own national currency – the lev.
“No matter how much we earn, it’s never enough,” she said of the Euro.
“I’m glad that Rumen Radev won. We hope he’ll make our country better.”
Voters chose to throw out former prime minister Borissov’s GERB party, which only won 13 per cent of ballots.
Radev said that while he opposes sending arms to , he would not utilise Bulgaria’s veto power to block EU decisions.
The move separates him from nationalist Viktor Orban, who last week lost the Hungarian election, ending his 16-year reign.
His time in power was marked by frequent blocking of EU policy-making.
Radev is expected to face pressure to lead his country down a Euro-sceptic path, by both his own party and the opposition.
In Bulgaria, key judicial or constitutional changes require a two-thirds majority, meaning Radev will need support in from other parties when making policy changes.
Borissov congratulated Radev on Sunday.
But the former leader – who led the country uninterrupted for nearly a decade – warned: “Winning elections is one thing, governing is another”.
Many voters wanted to see the end of the political influence of oligarch Delyan Peevski.
He has been accused of controlling key state institutions, and is sanctioned by the US and UK.
The press tycoon has also allegedly embezzled public funds alongside Borissov, and has been shielded by complicit state prosecutors.
He has consistently denied the accusations.
Bulgaria is ranked as the 84th most corrupt country in the world, according to a league table of 182 countries made by Transparency International.
Its position makes it one of the most corrupt in the EU.
Who is Rumen Radev?
by Gemma Scerri, Foreign News Reporter
Rumen Radev is the newly elected leader of Bulgaria and the leader of the Progressive Bulgaria (PB) coalition.
He has been a dominant figure in Bulgarian politics.
The 62-year-old former fighter pilot and head of the Bulgarian Air Force, Radev recently resigned from a nine-year presidency to actively participate in parliamentary politics.
The transition saw him win the country’s eighth election in five years.
Known for his stoic demeanour, Radev has campaigned as an anti-corruption crusader and a defender of the poor.
He gained significant popularity in 2020 when he supported mass protests against the political elite.
Radev has been a strong critic of the EU, however still acknowledged the benefits.
In calling for renewed ties with Russia, he has referenced his nation’s Slavic and Orthodox history.
He campaigned strongly against the adoption of the Euro.
His PB coalition is made up of a diverse “left-wing conservative” mix of military officers, socialists, and union leaders.
Despite his lack of polished communication skills, Radev has become a symbol of stability for voters exhausted by years of political deadlock and corruption.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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