Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party looks set to win Sunday's Bulgarian Parliamentary election - the eighth general election in five years.
Exit polls put his Progressive Bulgaria on 37%, more than double the score of the closest runner-up, former prime minister Boiko Borisov's GERB on 16%.
Three or four other parties look set to cross the 4% threshold and enter Parliament.
The election was called after the previous government tried to push through a controversial budget last December, prompting mass demonstrations which Radev, as president, supported.
People rejected the self-satisfaction and arrogance of old parties and did not fall prey to lies and manipulation. I thank them for their trust, Radev said, in his victory speech.
He promised to build a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe and emphasized the need for critical thinking and pragmatic actions in addressing current European challenges.
Radev, 62, viewed as a pragmatic leader with pro-Russian sentiments, has opposed military support for Ukraine and plans to tackle corruption while restoring stable governance in Bulgaria.
His previous tenure as president ended in January, leading to his new political movement. Radev acknowledges that his party's impressive result doesn’t grant them a solid mandate to govern alone, prompting a search for coalition partners.
Bulgaria remains a crucial player in the arms industry, supplying military equipment to Ukraine, despite Radev’s opposition to directly aiding Ukraine's military efforts.
Recent collaborations with international firms like Rheinmetall indicate Bulgaria's growing role in the European defense sector.
Radev’s leadership seems set to reflect a balance between addressing the needs of European allies and domestic political accountability amid ongoing security concerns.
