Radev slams Bulgaria’s security pact with Ukraine as snap election looms

Bulgaria’s political landscape has shifted into a state of heightened friction as former President Rumen Radev, leader of the Progressive Bulgaria party, launched a blistering critique of the caretaker government’s recent 10-year security pact with Ukraine.

The broadside, directed at the interim administration of Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, centers on a strategic agreement that facilitates bilateral defense cooperation and opens negotiations for the potential sale of nuclear reactors from Bulgaria’s Belene power plant to Kyiv. Radev contends the cabinet has overstepped its mandate by anchoring the nation to long-term commitments that he argues escalate national security risks.

In a sharp rebuke delivered via social media, Radev asserted that a caretaker government’s primary directive is the administration of fair elections and the mitigation of domestic economic pressures—not the execution of cornerstone foreign policy shifts.

According to Radev, the Bulgarian electorate is prioritizing transparency and protection against rampant inflation over geopolitical maneuvers that could, in his view, draw the country closer to active military conflict. He further accused the Gyurov administration of prioritizing external validation over sovereign interests and disregarding constitutional boundaries.

Deepening his rhetoric during a speech in Pleven, Radev warned against what he termed a “denial of historical and economic realities.” He expressed profound concern that current policies are undermining Bulgaria’s energy sector and industrial base in deference to “ideological pressure” from abroad. Invoking the historical ties between Sofia and Moscow, Radev highlighted the sacrifices made during Bulgaria’s liberation, noting that despite prevailing political discourse, a significant portion of Bulgarian society does not view Russia as an adversary.

Conversely, Prime Minister Gyurov, who recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, maintains that the agreement is a vital affirmation of Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine’s EU and NATO aspirations. Gyurov reaffirmed Sofia’s commitment to standing by Kyiv in the pursuit of a “durable and just peace,” a stance that has become the hallmark of his administration’s foreign policy.

Progressive Bulgaria maintains lead as polls show 30% threshold surpassed

As the April 19 snap general election approaches, new data suggests Radev’s political momentum is consolidating. A survey released on March 29 by Alpha Research places Progressive Bulgaria at 30.8% of the decided vote, establishing a commanding lead over its rivals.

The GERB-UDF coalition, led by Boyko Borisov, trails significantly in second place with 21.2%. With only three weeks remaining until the polls open, the data indicates a widening gulf between the two leading political forces.

The poll ranks the We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (WCC-DB) alliance third at 11.1%, followed by the Movement for Rights and Freedoms-New Beginning, led by Delyan Peevski—who is notably under US sanctions via the Magnitsky Act—at 9.8%.

Further down the spectrum, the Vazrajdane party holds 6.9%, while the Bulgarian Socialist Party–United Left coalition sits at 3.9%, teetering just below the 4% parliamentary threshold.

Voter priorities: Inflation and anti-corruption take center stage

Among the remaining political factions, the nationalist-populist Mech holds 3%, followed by the Siyana coalition (2.8%), Velichie (2.7%), the right-wing Blue Bulgaria (1.6%), and the populist ITN (1.4%). The Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, composed of loyalists to Ahmed Dogan, currently stands at 1.2%.

Boryana Dimitrova of Alpha Research, speaking to Bulgarian National Radio, observed a significant mobilization within the Progressive Bulgaria camp coinciding with the official launch of Radev’s campaign activities. While GERB-UDF has fortified its base, Dimitrova noted an 8 to 9 point gap currently separates the two frontrunners.

Voter turnout is projected at 55.8%. Dimitrova remarked that WCC-DB has yet to recapture the political energy seen during the mass protests of late 2025.

The data highlights a clear mandate for the incoming government: 47% of voters identified income inequality and inflation as the most urgent issues. Anti-corruption measures and judicial reform followed at 33%, with economic development (11.3%), healthcare (7%), and infrastructure (1.2%) rounding out the public’s priorities.

Regarding strategic partnerships, 56.3% of Bulgarians favored the European Union. Russia garnered 19.5% support, followed by the US (7.8%), China (6.4%), and Türkiye (1.8%).

The survey, conducted between March 19 and 26 among 1,000 participants, also noted a steady uptick in support for the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Dimitrova emphasized that the “specter of inflation” is being felt more acutely now than at any point since the 1997-98 economic crisis.

Presidential veto on electoral law set the stage for April vote

The path to the April 19 election was cleared in February following a period of sustained political instability. Vice President Iliana Yotova moved to appoint Andrey Gyurov, Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, to lead the caretaker cabinet, emphasizing that the administration’s core responsibility is the management of an honest and transparent electoral process.

During this transition, Yotova exercised her veto power against amendments to the Election Law passed on Feb. 5, 2026. The contested legislation sought to limit the number of polling stations in non-EU countries to 20—a move Yotova argued would unconstitutionally disenfranchise Bulgarian citizens living abroad.

Bulgaria is now preparing for its fifth general election in three years, a direct result of the fragmented parliamentary structures and failed coalition talks that have plagued the country since 2021. Long-standing disputes over judicial reform, anti-corruption initiatives, and energy policy continue to be the primary obstacles to establishing a stable, permanent government.