“Progressive Bulgaria has won decisively. This is a victory of hope over distrust, a victory of freedom over fear. It is also a victory of morality. People have rejected the complacency and arrogance of the old parties and did not succumb to lies and manipulation.
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Bulgaria's Eighth Election in Five Years: Radev Wins Landslide
April 19, 2026
Former president Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party won a decisive victory in Bulgaria's April 19, 2026 parliamentary election — the country's eighth in five years. Exit polls showed Progressive Bulgaria winning 37–39% of the vote, far ahead of former PM Boyko Borissov's GERB-UDF coalition at 15–16%. Radev, a former fighter pilot who resigned the presidency in January to launch his political movement, campaigned as an "oligarchy breaker." He declared the result "a victory of hope over distrust, a victory of freedom over fear" and pledged to form a stable government. Radev struck a notably eurosceptic tone, saying Europe "has become a victim of its ambition to act as a moral leader" and called for "pragmatic action." The election came one week after Hungary's voters ousted Viktor Orbán, raising questions about whether a broader anti-establishment wave is reshaping Central and Eastern European politics.
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“Europe has, in many ways, become a victim of its ambition to act as a moral leader in a world without clear rules. What Europe needs now is critical thinking, pragmatic action, and tangible results — to restore its industrial strength and competitiveness. Bulgaria will continue on its European path. A strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe requires critical thinking and pragmatism.
“We will do everything possible not to allow us to go to elections again. It is ruinous for Bulgaria. We are ready to consider different options so that Bulgaria can have a regular and stable government.
“GERB has taken the country into the euro zone, where the anchor is very strong at the moment. We have an extremely pro-European position.