Rumen Radev Claims Victory in Bulgarian Elections
Jerusalem, 20 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Rumen Radev delivered a brief statement following exit poll results indicating a strong lead for his Progressive Bulgaria coalition in Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections, thanking voters and calling the outcome “a victory of hope over mistrust, of freedom over fear and ethics”. “We defeated apathy but mistrust in Bulgarian politicians remains, and much work lies ahead,” he said.
According to exit polls, Progressive Bulgaria gets over 38% of the votes, leaving far behind runner-up GERB-UDF.
Radev expressed gratitude to all who backed his supporters, his campaign team, and “all Bulgarians who voted according to their conscience, regardless of which party they supported”. He also singled out Bulgarians abroad, acknowledging those who waited in long lines to cast their ballots.
He expressed appreciation for the Interior Ministry efforts to combat vote buying during the election process, noting the scale of the operation.
According to the leader of Progressive Bulgaria, people “rejected the complacency and arrogance of the old parties and did not succumb to lies and manipulation”.
Radev said his remarks would be short, as official results are still pending. He said he would comment on potential government formation and coalition talks only after the final results are announced.
Turning to foreign policy as he took a question from the foreign press, Radev reaffirmed that Bulgaria would continue along its European path. However, he stressed that Europe needs “more critical thinking” and added that he expects a more pragmatic approach in European decision-making.
“A strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe needs critical thinking and more pragmatism. Europe fell victim to its own ambition to be a moral leader in a world without rules. Europe needs new critical thinking, pragmatic action and good results,” he said.
Asked at what cost dialogue with Russia should be restored and whether this won’t create problems with the EU, Radev told the reporters to ask the President of France, the Prime Minister of Belgium and other European leaders, including the German Chancellor, “who said a month ago that this dialogue must resume”.
“If we want Europe to have strategic autonomy, Europe must restore its competitiveness and stop the process of deindustrialization. Europe must think very seriously about how it will secure its resources, because without energy resources we cannot talk about competitiveness,” Radev said.
Asked to comment information made public by the Interior Minister about tip-offs for vote buying against Progressive Bulgaria, Radev said he heard that and the party “would definitely take firm measures” if the information of wrongdoing is proven.
In brief remarks earlier, Radev vowed that his party will do its best to prevent having to go to the polls again. “We will do our best to prevent having to go to the polls. It will be a disaster for Bulgaria, you should understand that. It would mean going from crisis to crisis when what we have to do is work very hard to emerge from these crises.”
“Progressive Bulgaria is ready for various options to make sure Bulgaria has a Parliament-elected and stable government,” he said when reporters asked him if a minority government is an option.
“Many parties said that the Supreme Judicial Council needs to be replaced and I expect that they will deliver on their declarations. I hope that we will be looking in the same direction with Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria when we talk about changing the Supreme Judicial Council,” said Radev.
