Bulgaria should elect pro-Russian president indicates exit poll

Research by Alpha Research shows that Rumen Radev’s party will win the parliamentary elections

The party of the former pro-Russian president of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, will win this Sunday (19.Apr.2026), according to the exit poll of the Alpha Research.

Progressive Bulgaria, a center-left party led by Radev, received 37.5% of the vote. The GERB (center-right) party, led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, came in 2nd place, with 16.2%.

HOW ELECTIONS WORK IN BULGARIA

In Bulgaria, voters do not vote directly for a president or government leader, but for parties or coalitions of parties.

Seats are distributed proportionally between groups according to the number of votes received. The group that achieves a majority nominates the prime minister, head of government.

If the exit poll is confirmed, Radev will be head of state. However, it will need coalition partners to form a majority government.

SOBR RADEV

In the campaign, the former president promised to eradicate corruption and end a spiral of weak and ephemeral governments.

He is a former fighter pilot and former Air Force commander. Its pro-Russian stance contrasts with the rest of the European Union. Although he officially denounced Moscow’s aggression, the former president repeatedly opposed sending military aid to .

POLITICAL INSTABILITY

This Sunday’s election was called after the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov (GERB) in December, which took place amid a wave of popular protests against corruption in the government. This was the 8th election in 5 years in the country.