Pro-Russian former president leads polls in Bulgarian elections
Eurosceptic Rumen Radev, who is against military support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, is on track to win just under 40% of the vote
Bulgaria's left-leaning, pro-Russian former President Rumen Radev is set to win Sunday's parliamentary vote, exit polls show.
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Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party campaigned to stamp out corruption and end a spiral of weak, short-lived governments.
But as it stands, he will need coalition partners to run a majority government.
The eurosceptic former fighter pilot who has opposed military support for Ukraine's war effort against Moscow stepped down from the presidency in January to run in the election.
Last weekend, Hungarian voters ousted right-wing populist prime minister Viktor Orban, who had close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
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The final exit poll conducted by Sofia-based Alpha Research showed Radev's party with 38.1% of the vote, far ahead of the GERB party led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, which trails in second place with 15.9%.
The exact percentages of other exit polls varied, but still showed a strong Radev win. If confirmed, the result would mark one of the strongest results by a single party in years.
In his campaign, Radev called to improve relations with Moscow and resume the free flow of Russian oil and gas into Europe.
A slick social media campaign, deep coffers and a pledge of stability boosted support for Radev and his participation increased voter interest. Alpha Research put turnout at 47%, up from the 39% in the last election in October 2024.
The elections are the eighth in five years in the country of about 6.5 million people and come after mass protests forced out the previous government in December.
"We will do everything possible not to allow us to go (to elections) again. It is ruinous for Bulgaria," Radev said after exit polls were released.
He said he was willing to work with the reformist We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition, which came third in the Alpha Research exit polls with 14.1%, on judicial reform, but said that a minority government was also an option.
"We are ready to consider different options so that Bulgaria can have a regular and stable government," he said.
Final election results are expected on Monday.