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BULGARIA
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Rumen Radev has won the Bulgarian elections, according to the first results

Radev seems likely to form a stable government, ending years of political instability. Progressive Bulgaria has won between 38% and 40% of the vote, according to the first data, gaining broad support from the other parties.

Sofia (Bulgaria), 16/04/2026.- Leader of the Progressive Bulgaria (PB) coalition Rumen Radev (C) speaks during an election campaign closing rally in Sofia, Bulgaria, 16 April 2026. Bulgaria heads to its eighth snap parliamentary election in five years on 19 April, triggered by a government resignation following the rejection of the 2026 state budget. (Elecciones) EFE/EPA/Borislav Troshev

Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. Photo: EFE

The coalition led by former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has clearly won the legislative elections held on Sunday 19, which have been called eight times in the last five years in that country.

According to the first results released after the closure of the polling stations, progressive Bulgaria will get between 38% and 40% of the vote, gaining broad support compared to the other parties. 

The second most voted party would be the conservative coalition GERB-SDS offormer Prime Minister Boiko Borisov , with between 14 and 16% of the votes.

If the results are confirmed, Radev will have to negotiate to form a stable government in a context of great political instability. It would be good news thatafter these elections only two parties would be needed to obtain a majority.

Radev, a62-year-old Bulgarian Viktor Orban asko, who has been critical of the elites, was commander of the Armed Forces and became an important military officer.

During his presidency, between 2017 and 2026, he made significant differences with Borisov, one of the most influential politicians in the country, and on several occasions reproached him for his "tolerant" attitude to corruption, which makes Bulgaria one of the poorest countries in the European Union.

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