Rumen Radev (centre), leader of the Progressive Bulgaria coalition, speaks to the media after the parliamentary elections in Sofia, Bulgaria. (EPA Images pic) SOFIA: Bulgarian ex-president Rumen Radev – an EU critic who has called for renewing ties with Russia – on Sunday hailed a “victory of hope”»»»

Having cast his ballot in Sofia, Progressive Bulgaria leader Rumen Radev said: "Today Bulgaria has a historic chance to break once and for all with the Peevski-Borissov oligarchic model, and this is an opportunity we must not miss." He was referring to Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delyan»»»

SOFIA, Bulgaria, April 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Former fighter pilot Rumen Radev has vowed to lead Bulgaria out of chronic political crisis if he wins Sunday's general election -- the eighth in five years. Many voters see Radev -- who was Bulgaria's president until earlier this year -- as the only pers»»»