Thewesternbalkans.
In the extraordinary parliamentary elections held on April 19, 2026, the coalition “Progressive Bulgaria” of Rumen Radev is the clear winner with 44.6%. This is shown by the official data of the Central Election Commission with 100% of protocols from the precinct commissions counted.
In second place came GERB of Boyko Borisov with 13.39%. Third is the PP-DB coalition with 12,62%.
Also entering the parliament are DPS of Delyan Peevski with 7.1% and “Vazrazhdane” with 4.26 % of the votes. In voting abroad, the winner is again PB of Rumen Radev with 38.4 % of the votes. In second place is PP-DB with 22.259%, and third is DPS with 8.7%.
Rumen Radev’s formation will have 131 members of parliament—enough to elect its own speaker of the parliament, form a government, and pass the budget. Preliminary calculations, however, show that ‘Progressive Bulgaria’ will need partners to change the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and amend the constitution—tasks that the formation has identified as key for every other reforms.
‘We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria’ has announced its willingness to partner for the election of the parliamentary quota of the SJC.
Radev is receiving more deputies than Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha did during his triumphant return to Bulgaria in 2001 and Boyko Borisov’s big entry into politics in 2009.
On the eve of the elections, the Leader of the “Progressive Bulgaria” coalition, Rumen Radev, presented the priorities with which the formation will run in the parliamentary elections on April 19.
Coalition’s assessment of the external security situation is a basis for its Foreign policy priorities: “The world is entering a period of accelerated transformation, in which international relations are changing not over years, but over days. Military conflicts in the Middle East – including the escalation around Iran – and the ongoing war in Ukraine outline an environment of instability, in which traditional alliances no longer seem so stable. At the same time, a visible shift in US policy is being observed, accompanied by tension between Washington and several European leaders. Against this backdrop, the outcome of the war in Ukraine remains unclear, and in Europe voices calling for a reconsideration of relations with Russia are being increasingly heard” – said the Programme.
The presented vision for foreign policy of “Progressive Bulgaria” outlines a clearly defined course. At its core is the commitment to an “active, principled, and nationally responsible foreign policy” that guarantees the security, independence, and prosperity of Bulgarian citizens.
Among the main priorities, several key directions stand out:
– consistency and compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria;
– strengthening international presence through clearly formulated national positions;
– active participation in policy-making within the EU and NATO;
– support for NATO collective defence;
– deepening EU–NATO and EU–US cooperation;
– upholding the principle of unanimity in key EU decisions.
At first glance, this is a classic Euro-Atlantic package – without sharp deviations, without attempts at geopolitical ‘balancing,’ and without signs of an alternative foreign policy course.
The issue of NATO is even more complex. Biographically and politically, Radev is closely associated with the Alliance – often described as a “NATO general.” That is why the emphasis on collective defence and deepening cooperation is not surprising.
But the reality around NATO is also changing. The question of the meaning and sustainability of the Alliance in its current form is increasingly being raised. Unilateral decisions by the US, diverging interests among European members, and even public calls from the American political scene to reconsider the commitment to NATO put its long-term future and role in doubt.
Regarding the Western Balkans, the new government in Sofia is expected to continue the country’s positive policy towards the countries of the region without exception. Bulgaria will continue to support the enlargement of the EU according to the rules already established for this purpose, as well as the expansion of NATO’s influence in the Balkans.
Rumen Radev, in his capacity as President of the country, has promoted the idea of respecting the rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia, and it cannot be expected that he will deviate from this position. Moreover, this is already a position of the European Council.
Comments: Many analysts tried to look for some analogy between the elections in Bulgaria and those in Hungary. The fact, however, is that the expected changes in Bulgaria are much more fundamental and necessary, especially in the field of the judicial system.
On the other hand, the old leaders are leaving, and new ones are coming – stronger, more motivated, and with a new vision for the development of their countries. In any case, a strong and stable government in Sofia will be more beneficial for security, predictability, and stability for the entire Western Balkans region.
On the international level, apart from the positive reaction from the President of the European Commission, von der Leyen, particular interest lies in which political family in the European Parliament ‘Progressive Bulgaria’ will join.
