In Bulgaria, departure of the president before spring legislative elections
President of the country since 2017, the former MiG-29 fighter pilot resigned from his second term as head of state last January, in order to be a candidate in the early legislative elections. These were called after the Jeliazkov government was swept away by a wave of protests against corruption, a pervasive problem in the country of 6.7 million people, the poorest in the European Union, of which it became a member in 2007.
It is precisely on this subject that Roumen Radev focused his campaign, stating that he wants to overthrow the oligarchy. He declared, “is deeply entrenched in the social and economic life of the country. It is a pyramidal scheme that systematically vampirizes society while ensuring its impunity through control of institutions, parties, elections, media, and the business world,” last month. He added, “Unless this model is dismantled, any form of government is destined to fail.”
Roumen Radev carefully cultivates his profile as a politician without blemish, close to the people. As an independent candidate in the presidential election, he emerged on the Bulgarian political scene in 2016. The first attempt was successful: he was elected president in 2017 with 59.4%. His image as “Mr. Clean” became entrenched in public opinion in 2020, when investigators raided the presidency and arrested members of his cabinet. In a political conflict with then-Prime Minister Borissov, Radev denounced an abuse of power and joined, fist raised, the protesters against corruption. The following year, Roumen Radev won the presidential election with 66.7% of the votes. His popularity has never waned since.
For a return to normalcy with Moscow
In Brussels and in many European capitals, just as much attention is paid to Mr. Radev’s speeches regarding the relationship with Russia. In Dimitrograd, a city created during the Soviet era, the man is an outspoken supporter of re-establishing dialogue with Moscow, which was severely damaged following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Roumen Radev believes that as the “only Slavic and Orthodox country” among the Twenty-seven, Bulgaria is “in a unique position” and can become “a very important link” in normalizing relations with Moscow. A critic of EU diplomacy and energy policy, he opposes economic sanctions against Russia and advocates for the EU to once again source oil from Russia, which is subject to a European embargo.
The poorest country in Europe abandons its currency in favor of the euro
Mr. Radev’s stance on European integration is also not without ambiguity. He was opposed to his country adopting the euro – Bulgaria became the 21st EU member state to use the single currency earlier this year.
What majority?
Beyond the fight against corruption, the “Progressive Bulgaria” program does not stand out for its accuracy on many subjects. Launched in March, the coalition is indeed a heterogeneous assembly.
Even if his troops were to win and Mr. Radev were to obtain the cards to form a government, he will still need to find a sufficiently strong majority to govern. With “We Continue Change – Democratic Bulgaria,” which also fights against corruption but has a clearly pro-EU and pro-Ukraine program? Unless BP opts for the experience of a minority government? If he does emerge victorious, will Mr. Clean be able to put an end to the chronic political instability that Bulgaria suffers from?
