Orbán of Balkans’ Claims Victory In Bulgaria’s Election

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

SOFIA/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Rumen Radev claimed victory after exit polls showed his Progressive Bulgaria movement won Sunday’s parliamentary election in the Balkan nation, its eighth general vote in five years.

Initial official results showed his Progressive Bulgaria receiving roughly 45 percent of the vote, more than three times the score of the closest runner-up, former prime minister Boiko Borisov’s GERB party, which had about 13 percent.

That put Radev’s party on course to gain some 130 seats in the 240-seat parliament.

Three or four other parties were due to cross the 4 percent threshold and enter parliament.

His victory marked a shift in fortunes for eurosceptic forces, coming just a week after longtime Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party suffered an unprecedented defeat.

The 62-year-old Radev, described by critics as the “Orbán of the Balkans,” stepped down in January after nine years as president to form his new political movement.

The election was called after the previous government attempted to push through a controversial budget last December, prompting mass demonstrations that Radev supported.

RADEV CAPITALIZES ON PUBLIC ANGER

“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, promising to build “a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe.”

“What Europe needs right now is critical thinking, pragmatic actions, and results—especially to build a new security architecture and restore industrial competitiveness,” he added.

However, his victory came as a setback for the European Union, where leaders had been celebrating Orbán’s election defeat. Like Orbán, Radev opposes EU sanctions on Russia and favors dialogue with Moscow.

Radev, a former fighter pilot, also opposes Bulgarian military support for Ukraine, despite the country facing an ongoing Russian invasion.

Analysts noted that, unlike in Hungary, Radev’s party may lack a strong enough mandate to govern alone, making coalition talks likely.

COALITION TALKS LOOM

In his first remarks Sunday evening, Radev confirmed that his Progressive Bulgaria Party is seeking coalition partners to address challenges facing one of Europe’s poorest and most corruption-affected nations.

He campaigned largely on domestic issues, pledging to fight corruption and restore stability after years of fragile coalitions.

Bulgaria’s arms industry is closely watching his victory as the country remains an important supplier of ammunition to Ukraine via third countries, including neighboring Romania.

The war has boosted an industry that has struggled since the Soviet era, despite ongoing political divisions over military support.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Radev has repeatedly opposed selling Bulgaria’s Soviet-era weapons stockpiles to Kyiv.

ARMS INDUSTRY FUTURE UNCERTAIN

He shares Orbán’s view that military aid risks prolonging a war Ukraine cannot win, raising concerns among Kyiv’s allies.

The VMZ factory in Sopot, about two hours east of Sofia, produces explosives and NATO-grade 155mm artillery shells.

In October 2025, Rheinmetall announced a 1 billion euro (about 1.1 billion U.S. dollars) joint venture with VMZ to produce up to 100,000 shells annually, alongside a new gunpowder facility.

Rheinmetall will hold a 51 percent stake in the venture, part of broader European efforts to expand defense production.

Despite opposing military aid to Ukraine, Radev has taken credit for attracting Rheinmetall’s investment and strengthening Bulgaria’s role in Europe’s defense sector.

EU UNITY TESTED

“Bulgaria is becoming part of the European defense ecosystem,” Radev said during a visit to the company’s headquarters in Germany.

Observers say his position may resemble that of Robert Fico—critical of EU policies but unlikely to block private arms production for Ukraine.

Still, his victory adds uncertainty at a time when the European Union is struggling to maintain unity over the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia.

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