Journalist and writer, based in Sofia. He began his career in 2010 and as of now he is a cultural editor at Capital Weekly. His work is connected to the arts, but extends to education, human rights and other social issues. He also has substantial experience in arts management, radio presenting, photography, literary criticism and translations, publishing.
With his landslide victory, Radev ends a long period of political deadlock in Bulgaria. The danger now is that he will become the next Orban, and the EU will face another pro-Russian leader at the helm of an "illiberal" democracy.
The forthcoming election on April 19 is actually shaping to be one with the highest stakes so far and arriving at a very different political climate defined by new dynamics and actors.
Former Bulgaria President Rumen Radev – known for his soft line on Russia and a flair for populist statements – has launched his party, Progressive Bulgaria. He looks set to win big in the April 19 snap elections but his campaign strategy has been a curious one: staying largely absent from the political discourse.
What is the connecting thread between a secluded lodge in snow-covered North-West Bulgaria and alternative Buddhist practices, vague official versions about two death scenes and sensationalist leaks to the media, a draft law on banning NGO’s and changing voter tendencies ahead of the April 19 snap elections?
After months of speculation, Rumen Radev, long viewed as sympathetic to the Kremlin, resigned from office and is widely expected to form a political party of his own. An effort that could either unite Bulgaria’s pro-Russian political forces or fracture them beyond repair.
Bulgaria’s government stepped down after facing several protests over a two-weeks period. It was a surprise move in a country where disgraced politicians rarely back down, and even reformists that emerge from protest waves end up by doing politics “in the old ways”.
Bulgaria’s government decision to add tax to Russian gas brought tensions with Hungary and Serbia, and yet another clash with pro-Moscow President Rumen Radev.
Bulgaria has been facing an uptick in pro-Russian disinformation, just as the country’s pro-Western government is questioning Moscow’s influence – and moves – in the country.
A brutal stabbing brought into spotlight the Bulgaria’s approach to gender violence. While some took to the streets in protest, others tried to block reforms aimed at protecting women.
The alliance GERB/We continue the change showed its first cracks, as it’s being pressured by a hostile president, pro-Russian parties and the entry into politics of their main opponent.
As Bulgaria seems to finally move away from its years long political stalemate, new lines are drawn in the sand between politicians and the controversial top prosecutor, while the pro-Russians are waiting on the sides.
Russia’s ambassador to Bulgaria recently expressed support – a diplomatic faux pas – for the Bulgarian far-right, anti-Western and anti-Ukraine Revival party. Revival came third in the April 2 elections, fifth of its kind in the last two years, and if the current political stalemate continues, it stands a good chance to become a major political force at the next snap election.
Boyko Borissov’s GERB party expectedly topped the vote, but the elections left a bitter taste that political influence can be easily bought. They also underlined a worrying tendency for ethnicization of the vote.
Against the backdrop of voter fatigue, Bulgaria’s latest elections saw the rise of a new nationalist party, “Greatness”, while Boiko Borissov’s GERB maintained its ascending trend.
Former prime-minister Boyko Borissov’s GERB party is tipped to win Bulgaria’s split election. But amid an expected low voter turnout, pro-Russian parties are seeking a moment.
