Who is Rumen Radev? From Bulgaria President to PM — Russia-friendly former fighter pilot who won 2026 election
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Rumen Radev, Bulgaria's former president, won the parliamentary elections with his Progressive Bulgaria party securing 44.6% of the vote. Radev, known for his Russia-friendly stance, has vowed to continue Bulgaria's European path while seeking pragmatic dialogue with Moscow.
Rumen Radev, Bulgaria's former president, has won the parliamentary elections with his Progressive Bulgaria party securing 44.6% of the vote. Radev, a 62-year-old former Air Force major general, has not ruled out forming a coalition with a pro-European group or smaller party. His victory was welcomed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who praised Radev's push for thawed ties with Moscow. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Radev, stating that Bulgaria is a proud member of the European family. Radev has positioned himself as an outsider, promising to rid the country of its 'oligarchic governance model' amid widespread frustration with corruption and political turmoil. Radev has been labelled 'pro-Russian' due to his stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and his call for renewed relations with Moscow.
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