"Radev shows certain political parallels with Orban – from pro-Russian positions and Eurosceptic rhetoric, to the political style that relies on confrontation with Brussels": foreign publications take a look at the former president.
This will be the eighth consecutive election in Bulgaria within 5 years. But this time the poorest country in the EU may get a stable government, writes "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" (FAC) in an article titled "Political Chaos in Sofia Halts Growth".
It states that according to surveys and analysts, Rumen Radev, who "as a populist socialist has topped the popularity rankings of (unpopular) Bulgarian politicians for years, could receive up to a third of the votes" of Bulgarian voters.
"But as famous as the former air force pilot and general is, almost nothing is known about his intentions - especially in the field of financial and economic policy", emphasizes the author Andreas Mim and points out that this is worrying. He recalls that the previous government fell precisely because of financial policy. And in particular because of the draft budget for 2026.
Unclear economic program
FAC cites the assessment of the credit agency "Fitch", which also concludes that the fiscal and economic program of the former president's movement is unclear.
However, his pro-Russian positions are well known, FACC points out. The author recalls that last summer Radev "wanted to stop Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone from January 1, 2026, through a referendum," but points out that when presenting his program there was no criticism of the EU or NATO. On the contrary - Radev called for "true integration" of Bulgaria into the EU, of which the country has been a member for 19 years. "He promised a reform of the judicial system with changes in the prosecutor's office, an intensified fight against oligarchs and corruption, including with the help of artificial intelligence, greater freedom of the media and a more decisive fight against "social inequality", which includes improvements in healthcare," writes FAC.
Jacques Paparo from the "Friedrich Ebert" Foundation in Sofia, which is close to the German Social Democrats, is having difficulty finding clear programmatic positions. He believes that Radev is deliberately not revealing details so as not to give his competitors an opportunity to attack. The article also quotes Rumen Dobrinsky, a Bulgaria expert at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Comparisons (WIIW), who also cannot provide clarity, but expresses hope that "a new, strong political player, who is not himself tainted by corruption allegations, could bring about a positive change in politics by addressing some of the most pressing problems of our time". And what are they? "First and foremost is the problem of corruption and the widespread perception that the country is run by a clique of oligarchs pursuing their own interests", says Dobrinsky.
The fight against corruption is also among the priorities on the political to-do list of Sonya Mikli, CEO of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Sofia. However, she emphasizes that businesses are also concerned about other issues: "political and regulatory stability, transparent and professionally justified
implementation of economic decisions, efficient administration, as well as better predictability".
Dialogue with Moscow, not Brussels: Radev wants Russian energy supplies
The website of "Frankfurter Rundschau" (FR) also published an article about Rumen Radev on the eve of the elections. In it, the author Tadz Nagel points out that the elections in Bulgaria could be won by a man about whom Europe is only just beginning to think seriously. Under the title "Elections in Bulgaria: Pro-Russian Radev on the threshold of power – does another Orban threaten us in the EU?" the publication points out that Radev shows certain political parallels with Viktor Orban – from his pro-Russian positions and his Eurosceptic rhetoric, to his political style, which relies on confrontation with Brussels. Given this, the fears that Bulgaria could become another problem for the EU do not seem unfounded.
FR cites a publication by the Observatory for the Balkans and the Caucasus, based in Italy (OBCT), according to which Radev declares himself in favor of resuming dialogue with Russia, pleading for putting the economy before ideology and referring to hydrocarbon supplies from Moscow and cooperation with Russia, including in the nuclear field. At the same time, he excludes any coalition with the pro-European movement "Continue the Change" after the elections and criticizes the European Green Deal, FR also writes.
In domestic politics, Radev expressed doubts about "liberal ideology". Asked about possible measures in favor of the LGBT community, he spoke of "a sober return to the reality of both sexes". According to OBCT analysts, the most likely options for Radev's coalition are an alliance with the socialists and the nationalist "Vazrazhdane" party or tacit cooperation with former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, so that he remains in power, FR also writes.
Radev is not the next Orban, but he could become one
With Radev in power, Bulgaria could embark on an anti-liberal path of development, points out "Frankfurter Rundschau", citing political scientist Prof. Ana Krasteva. According to her, however, Radev is not Orban, because so far he has not shown either the extremism that is so characteristic of Orban, nor his readiness for a sharp confrontation with Brussels.
However, given the tone of the last election campaign, Krasteva cannot rule out that "a government led by Radev could succumb to the temptation to fill the illiberal and pro-Russian political niche occupied by Orban's Hungary in recent years".
Bulgaria - the next Hungary?
It is almost certain that a pro-Russian politician will come to power in Bulgaria after these elections: Rumen Radev, writes the Austrian "Der Standart" in an article entitled "Is Bulgaria the next Hungary?". In it, the author focuses on concerns about Russian interference in the election campaign through social networks.
The article states that the hashtag #rumenradev has reached 90.4 million views on a total of 2,700 videos - 60 times faster than GERB's ads. "On social media, former President Rumen Radev has already won the elections", the Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI) found in its TikTokcracy report on the manipulation of algorithms in the election campaign in Bulgaria.
Radev's "Progressive Bulgaria" election campaign on TikTok and other social media is reminiscent of the manipulations before the Romanian presidential elections in the winter of 2024, when pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu won with the help of foreign interference. The elections were later annulled. In Bulgaria, Radev is now being advertised through Seed Boosting on TikTok - a video is artificially served with likes, views or comments in the first ten to 30 minutes to stimulate the algorithm, explains "Der Standart".
The publication of the Austrian publication also states that Radev is against the 10-year agreement with Ukraine on security cooperation signed by the caretaker government of Gyurov and if he wins the elections, it will be threatened.
And another highlight of the publication: For many, Radev embodies nostalgia for socialism, Alexander Stoyanov of the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) in Sofia told "Der Standart". Identification with Russia and Russian interests is very widespread in Bulgaria, and propaganda channels from the communist era are still active, he says, adding that, for example, it is obvious that the Bulgarian army gives priority to Russian equipment. Stoyanov also told the publication that six years ago the country purchased American F-16 fighter jets, but only two pilots have been trained so far. "This is sabotage", Stoyanov said in this regard.