Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president Radev set for landslide election win, exit polls show
SkimNews Take
The impending election outcome in Bulgaria highlights how domestic political currents, even in EU member states, can diverge from the bloc's broader foreign policy alignment, creating internal inconsistencies in the EU's united front against Russia.
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- Rumen Radev leads Progressive Bulgaria with 44% in exit poll, far ahead of GERB at 12.5%.
- GERB party of former PM Boyko Borissov drops to 12.5% in exit poll, losing its decades‑long dominance.
- PP‑DB coalition receives 11.3% in exit poll, positioning it as a potential partner for judicial reform.
- Voter turnout reached 47% with an hour left, up from 39% in the October 2024 election.
- Russia killed 52 civilians in Ukraine in April, underscoring the geopolitical stakes of a pro‑Russian Bulgarian government.
- Google rolled out a free Gemini Mac app for macOS, marking a rapid AI expansion.
Why it matters: Radev’s landslide secures a pro‑Russian parliamentary majority, giving Moscow a friendly EU/NATO ally while marginalizing GERB and weakening EU unity on Ukraine; the shift will affect EU defense spending and sanctions enforcement.
