Former President Rumen Radev’s centre-left Progressive Bulgaria party is on course to win Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, according to exit polls released after voting concluded on Sunday.
The vote marks the eighth election in five years in a country grappling with prolonged political instability following mass protests that led to the previous government’s removal in December.
Exit polls by Alpha Research initially indicated Progressive Bulgaria secured 38.1 percent of the vote, while updated projections later put support as high as 44 percent, maintaining a wide lead over its rivals.
Former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s GERB party trailed with between 12.5 percent and 15.9 percent, while the reformist We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition placed third.
The projected result suggests one of the strongest performances by a single party in recent decades and could reshape Bulgaria’s fragmented political system.
Radev, who stepped down as president in January to run for prime minister, built his campaign on anti-corruption protests and public frustration with entrenched political elites.
He has indicated openness to coalition discussions, including with the third-placed reformist bloc, while also raising the possibility of forming a minority government.
Borissov acknowledged the preliminary outcome, stating that "Elections decide who comes first, but negotiations will decide who governs."
Voter turnout reached approximately 47 percent, an increase from the previous election, reflecting renewed public engagement.
Radev’s positions have drawn attention for their potential impact on Bulgaria’s foreign policy within the European Union and NATO.
He has called for renewed ties with Moscow, criticised military support for Ukraine, and opposed recent defence agreements with Kyiv.
At the same time, he stated that Bulgaria would continue its European path while emphasizing a more pragmatic approach to international relations.
The election follows broader regional political shifts, including leadership changes in Hungary, and comes shortly after Bulgaria adopted the euro earlier this year.
Final official results are expected on Monday, which will determine whether Radev’s party can govern alone or must seek coalition partners.