Bulgaria's pro-Russian former president takes strong lead in election, exit polls show

By Alex Lefkowitz and Edward McAllister

SOFIA, April 19 (Reuters) – The party of Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former President Rumen Radev is set to easily win Sunday’s parliamentary vote, exit polls show, after campaigning to stamp out corruption and end a spiral of weak, short-lived governments, although at it stands he will need coalition partners to run a majority government. 

Radev, a eurosceptic former fighter pilot who opposes military support for Ukraine’s war effort against Moscow, stepped down from the presidency in January to run in the election, which comes after mass protests forced out the previous government in December.

It was the eighth election in five years in the Balkan country of about 6.5 million people, where voters are weary of a small group of veteran politicians widely seen as corrupt, but where no one party has been able to attract enough support. 

The final exit poll conducted by Sofia-based Alpha Research showed Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria with 38.1%, 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.  

“We will do everything possible not to allow us to go (to elections) again. It is ruinous for Bulgaria,” Radev told reporters in brief comments after the exit polls were released. 

He said that he would be 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. 

RADEV PROMISES RING TRUE FOR MANY

In his campaign, Radev called to improve relations with Moscow and resume the free flow of Russian oil and gas into Europe. 

It is not clear how much that will impact the foreign policy of Bulgaria, a NATO and European Union member which joined the eurozone in January. A coalition with the reformist PP-DB could temper any Kremlin-friendly leanings.

Either way, 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% with one hour of voting to go, up from the 39% total in the last election in October 2024. 

WINNER WILL HAVE WORK TO DO

Bulgaria has developed rapidly since the fall of communism in 1989 and joined the European Union in 2007. Life expectancy has risen sharply, unemployment is the lowest in the EU, and the economy has greater safeguards since joining the euro zone in January.

But it lags other EU countries in many metrics, and graft remains endemic, including in elections, where vote-buying is rife.

The cost of living has become a particular issue since Bulgaria adopted the euro. The previous government fell amid protests against a new budget proposing tax rises and higher social security contributions.

“Politicians need to come together and make decisions – not have constant conflicts and arguments, going from one election to another without getting anything done,” said Bogomil Bardarski, a 72-year-old metalworker who voted in Sofia.

(Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Mark Potter, Jacqueline Wong and Christina Fincher)