Rumen Radev looks set to win Bulgarian Parliamentary election

Exit polls put his Progressive Bulgaria on 37%, more than double the score of the closest runner-up, but he will likely need to form a coalition to govern.

Former President Rumen Radev’s centre-left Progressive Bulgaria party is on course to win a parliamentary election, according to an exit poll published hours after voting closed. Bulgarians cast their ballots on Sunday for the eighth time in five years after mass protests led to the removal of the previous conservative government in December.

Progressive Bulgaria, the party of Bulgaria's pro-Russian former president Rumen Radev, was leading in Sunday's parliamentary election with 44.59% of votes, after 32% of votes were counted, official results showed. Radev, a eurosceptic and 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 parliamentary election, which comes after mass protests forced out the previous government in December.

Official partial results indicate Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria leading in Bulgaria's parliamentary election with 44.7% of votes counted.

Exit polls reveal that Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria coalition is leading Bulgaria's snap parliamentary elections with over 38% of the vote, followed by GERB-UDF, Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, and others.

Former President Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria coalition secured 44.6% of the vote in Bulgaria's parliamentary election, signaling a shift away from political instability. Radev emphasized a pragmatic 'European path' while maintaining cautious relations with Russia.

An exit poll suggests that a center-left coalition led by former President Rumen Radev is set to win Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, held on April 19, 2026. Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party secured an estimated 39.2% of the vote, significantly ahead of the center-right GERB party with 15.1%. However, this margin may still fall short of forming a one-party government, raising the possibility of coalition talks. Turnout was 43.4%, and six parties may enter the fragmented parliament. This snap vote, the country's eighth in five years, followed the resignation of a conservative-led government amid anti-corruption protests. Radev, who resigned from the presidency in January to enter the race, campaigns on anti-corruption and promises of political reform but holds controversial pro-Russian leanings. Despite denouncing the invasion of Ukraine, he opposes military aid to Kyiv and advocates renewed dialogue with Russia. Political instability has plagued Bulgaria since 2021, and Radev has vowed to avoid another election, warning it would deepen the nation’s crisis.