On Sunday, April 19, 2026, citizens of Bulgaria once again went to the polls to try to put an end to the protracted political crisis. According to Reuters, the current campaign is taking place with unprecedented voter turnout - the expected turnout is about 60%, significantly exceeding figures from previous years.
The main sensation of the day was the success of the party supported by President Rumen Radev, which, according to preliminary data, is gaining about 35% of the votes.
Rumen Radev has repeatedly found himself at the center of international scandals due to his position on the war in Ukraine. He has consistently opposed the supply of weapons to Kyiv, claiming that it "adds fuel to the fire" of the conflict. During the election campaign, the politician emphasized the need to restore dialogue with Moscow, but he categorically rejects accusations of pro-Russian orientation. "My position is exclusively pro-Bulgarian and pro-European," American media quote the president's statement at one of the polling stations.
Experts link the rise in popularity of forces opposing the current pro-Western course not only to foreign policy issues but also to economic upheavals. The residents of Bulgaria openly express dissatisfaction with the sharp rise in the cost of living following the country's transition to the euro, as well as the government's plans to raise taxes.
Despite the high result of 35%, Radev's party still lacks guarantees for forming a stable parliamentary majority.
The political configuration in Sofia remains fragmented, and to create a coalition, the winners will have to make difficult compromises. Official results will begin to arrive after the polling stations close and the first protocols are processed.
