Pro-Russian candidate wins presidential elections in Bulgaria

Rumen Radev speaks during a press conference after the elections in Bulgaria, this Sunday (13) AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic Rumen Radev won the presidential elections in Bulgaria, reports Reuters. Radev was previously president and is pro-Russia. A member of the Progressive party, the politician received 44.7% of the votes, with 97.52% of the ballots counted. According to the news agency, the politician’s performance exceeded opinion poll predictions. Bulgaria is experiencing a situation of instability and has had eight elections in five years. Radev’s vote percentage would allow him to govern alone, but the politician did not rule out forming a coalition. Radev defeated the country’s long-dominant GERB party, led by former prime minister Boyko Borissov, which had 13.4% of the vote, and the pro-European coalition We Continue the Change (PP-DB), with 12.8%. See the videos that are trending on g1 “This is a victory of hope over distrust, a victory of freedom over fear and a victory of morality,” Radev said at a press conference on Sunday. A former fighter pilot, the president-elect opposes military support for Ukraine’s war against Moscow. Radev stepped down as Bulgaria’s president in January to run in parliamentary elections after mass protests forced out the previous government in December. Find out more: Russia and Ukraine exchange drone attacks; offensives hit industrial, port and energy facilities Radev tapped into a wave of frustration over political instability in the Balkan nation of 6.5 million people. Foreign policy Both the European Union and Russia congratulated Radev on his victory. In a post on The Russian government said it was encouraged by Radev’s desire to resolve issues with Russia through pragmatic negotiations. The president-elect has been vague on foreign policy. Bulgaria is bathed by the Black Sea, on the southeastern flank of the European Union. It joined the eurozone in January. Radev is critical of the measure. Analysts do not expect Radev to try to reverse Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro or to block EU aid packages for Ukraine.

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