Bulgaria's center-left coalition led by ex-president Rumen Radev has won the parliamentary election, according to the central electoral commission.
People pass posters of former president Rumen Radev, after Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, in Sofia, Monday, April 20, 2026.
A person carrying Bulgarian Flag passes behind newspaper’s cover showing the Former President Rumen Radev under a title “Where to from here?” In Sofia, Monday, April 20, 2026.
Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev casts his vote at a polling station in Sofia, Bulgaria, Sunday, April 19, 2026, during early parliamentary elections.
Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev speaks to journalists after the polls closed in Sunday’s election, in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 19, 2026.
Former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov speaks to journalists after casting his vote in a polling station in Bankya, Bulgaria, Sunday, April 19, 2026, during early parliamentary elections.
SOFIA, Bulgaria () — The center-left coalition of ex-president Rumen Radev has emerged as the clear winner of Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, the country’s central electoral commission said Monday, ending half a decade of political fragmentation.
With all the ballots counted on Monday, results showed the Progressive Bulgaria coalition receiving 44.6% of the vote, some 30 percentage points ahead of the center-right GERB party of veteran leader Boyko Borissov and the pro-Western reformist bloc led by the We Continue the Change party.
Those parties ran almost neck and neck, scoring 13.4% and 12.6% respectively.
Two other parties also appear to have gained seats in the 240-seat chamber, according to the latest results.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday congratulated Radev on his election victory.
“Bulgaria is a proud member of the European family and plays an important role in tackling our common challenges.
I look forward to working together, for the prosperity and security of Bulgaria and Europe,” she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.
For public institutions and political groups, the next test is whether the issue remains a public argument or turns into a formal response, legal proceeding, administrative instruction or election-related communication.
The source page records the update at 20 Apr 2026, 10:25 AM, and the story should be followed for any later corrections or clarifications.
