Will Rumen Radev become Bulgaria’s new Orbán?
Following the victory of the ‘Progressive Bulgaria’ coalition in the parliamentary elections on 19 April 2026, the main topic of discussion became Rumen Radev’s future policy. During the election campaign, he did not provide clear answers regarding his plans, and he formed the coalition with three small parties just a few weeks before the vote. Much of his agenda and that of his allies remains unclear, writes DW.
Relations with Russia and stance on the war
62-year-old Rumen Radev is a retired general in the Bulgarian Air Force. During his nomination in 2016 by the Bulgarian Socialist Party, reports emerged that his candidacy had been discussed with the leadership in Moscow. Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, interest in these possible ties intensified. In 2021, during a televised debate, Radev stated that Crimea ‘belongs to Russia’, but later clarified that Crimea is Ukrainian, though controlled by Russia. After the war began, he called on Moscow to cease hostilities, but later his rhetoric was more often directed against Ukraine and the European Union. He criticised military aid to Kyiv, called the counter-offensive a mistake and claimed that arms supplies were only prolonging the war.
Experts have differing views on Radev’s political stance. Pavol Šalaj, a representative of Reporters Without Borders, noted that he would not compare him to Viktor Orbán or Robert Fico, but highlighted the spread of Russian propaganda in Bulgaria. According to The Washington Post, the risks of Russian disinformation remain high, and the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the European Commission, has set up a special unit to counter potential interference. According to the publication’s sources, Radev’s election campaign was supported by former Bulgarian officers linked to Russian military intelligence.
Anti-corruption rhetoric and political allies
In 2021, Rumen Radev supported anti-corruption protests and called for “Down with the mafia”. The protests were directed against Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Delian Peevski, who is subject to US and UK sanctions. Following these events, the “We Continue the Change” party emerged on the political scene, whose leaders were part of the transitional government appointed by Radev.
Following the protests in December 2025, the ‘We Continue the Change’ party, together with ‘Democratic Bulgaria’, entered into a coalition with Radev. It is expected that he will seek the support of these very political forces to form a majority and bring about changes in the judicial system and state institutions. At the same time, Radev has shown no willingness to cooperate with the pro-Russian “Revival” party, which will also enter parliament.
