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 needs to find another owner for its Lukoil refinery after the US imposed sanctions on the Russian giant. There is a good chance that instead of attracting international investors, Sofia will turn to local barons.
Bulgaria and German defence giant Rheinmetall have finalized an agreement to build a new arms production facility in Sopot, Central Bulgaria.
Pro-Western protesters are once again taking it to the streets in Bulgaria, targeting the ruling-GERB establishment. Is this a resurgence of the opposition, or its swam song?
A corruption scandal is threatening to throw into irrelevance Bulgaria’s main pro-European reformist party. If that happens, the pro-Russians extremists would become the only alternative to the current ruling coalition.
A vigorous campaign against the adoption of the Euro, the normalization of anti-LGBT discourse, and a campaign for religion in schools have recently raised tensions in Bulgaria, in a period that was also marked by the trial and conviction in the UK of six Bulgarians who spied for Russia and claimed to have connections at the top of the Bulgarian state.
Pro-rușii din Bulgaria au profitat de tăcerea pro-europenilor pentru a exploata în scop politic uciderea unui angajat bulgar al ONU în Fâșia Gaza.
The ruling GERB party, marred in the past by corruption allegations but with a pro-European discourse, is embracing some ideas of pro-Russian extremists and seems ready to adapt to Washington's new policy.
As various capitals in Eastern Europe are gripped by demonstrations, reformists in Bulgaria – a country with a tradition of protests – seem apathetic following years of political logjam and the return of the “system” parties.
A far-right protest in Sofia against a XIX century play directed by John Malkovich brought to the spotlight the disinformation and propaganda campaign targeting Bulgaria’s culture and education.
After Bulgaria’s parliament approved a controversial ban against “LGBTQ+ propaganda” in schools, both pro-Russia and populist pro-EU parties are eying a Russian-styled “foreign agents” law.
“Dreaming in Bulgarian” is an exhibition in Sofia by photographer Mihaela Aroyo, based on her years-long research of the community of Bassarabian Bulgarians in Moldova and Ukraine
Chiar sub privirea UE și după ani de potențiale reforme, democrația Bulgariei devine tot mai mult una de fațadă, dominată de partidul lui Boiko Borissov și de „sistem”.
Bulgaria’s pro-Russian far-right has been increasingly vocal and provocative, as it tries to take advantage of tensions within the pro-European, pro-Ukraine ruling coalition.
Communist-era monuments in Bulgaria were a point of fiery debates. Chaotic plans for their removal were not followed by a vision for the future.
2023 marked Bulgaria's exit from political crisis with the formation of a pro-Western government. On the other hand, he continued pro-Russian narratives continued to be promoted.
Bulgaria is sobering for the fact that the uphill battle to become part of the Schengen Area is far from over and even out of the country’s immediate control of the events.
Volodymyr Zelsnky visit to Sofia may be a boost for the pro-Western ruling coalition.
EU and NATO member Bulgaria, once Moscow’s closest satellite, has been moving away for years, albeit at a slow pace, from Russia’s pull. This process has been accelerated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, the Kremlin can still count on an array of friendly politicians, spies, and a disinformation and propaganda network to further its interests in Sofia.
The ruling coalition in Bulgaria has promised to improve the country’s relationship with North Macedonia ever since stepping in power. This has proved to be more difficult than expected as the topic is used to rally nationalist voters.
PM Kiril Petkov faces numerous challenges in his desire to send military aid to Ukraine including severing his relationship with the man who introduced him into politics, President Radev. On top of that, Russia cut Bulgaria’s gas supply, adding to the challenges faced by the government.
The invasion is having long-term effects on the relationship between Bulgaria and Russia. Pro-Ukraine demonstrations and numerous volunteer initiatives for the Ukrainian refugees have spread all over the country, and patience for the controversial Russian ambassador to Sofia is running out, as the government mulls plans to finally diversify its gas resources..
The tension between Russia and NATO put forward the question on how Bulgaria’s army can be reformed after decades of neglect and whether the country is the alliance’s “weak link”. PM Kiril Petkov looks like he’s on a solitary mission to prove this is not the case.
Untangling GERB and Boyko Borissov’s legacy might take a while: the new cabinet is keeping North Macedonia blocked from EU ascension talks, uncertainties surround a new gas link in Greece while the current Defense Minister downplayed the need of increased NATO presence in Bulgaria and Romania.
With a new coalition, promising hefty reforms and ending an almost year-long stalemate, Bulgaria seems to be heading towards a change. It is the promise of a new beginning, after a decade marked by GERB domination and suspicions of corruption. For the younger generation, it may as well be a new 1989 moment.
Bulgaria goes deeper into unpredictable territory following the November 14 joint elections. The general elections saw a new reformist party debuting on top against all odds, while in the Presidential run, Rumen Radev is set to be re-elected after mustering nearly 50 per cent of the vote in the first round.
The Pandora Papers did not cause a major surprise in Bulgaria, a country accustomed to corruption scandals. It remains to be seen what will their impact be. For now, one of those exposed in the leaks, controversial oligarch Delyan Peevski, instead of hiding returned from Dubai to Bulgaria and announced his come back to the political scene.
