Bulgaria Elections: Exit Polls Show Pro-Putin Party of Ex-President Radev in Major Lead

Preliminary exit polls from Bulgaria's parliamentary elections held on April 19 show the 'Progressive Bulgaria' party of pro-Russian former President Rumen Radev winning with around 38–39% of the vote — a result that could have serious implications for Ukraine and European unity.

Key Exit Poll Results

Two independent polling agencies — 'Myara' and Alpha Research — produced near-identical results. The Myara exit poll shows:

• Progressive Bulgaria (Radev): 38.7% → approximately 109 of 240 parliamentary seats
• GERB–SDS (pro-European): 14.7%
• Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (pro-European): 13.3%
• DPS (Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Delyan Peevski): 9.1%
• Revival (openly pro-Putin): 5.3%
• Bulgarian Socialists (moderately pro-Russian): ~4%

The two pro-European parties together won less than the winner alone. Under the Alpha Research poll, Radev's party scored 38.1%, with similar standings for other parties.

Coalition Threat for Ukraine

Political analysts warn that Radev could form a governing coalition with the Revival party (projected 14-15 seats), which would represent the worst-case scenario for Ukraine: a Bulgarian government aligned with Moscow on key EU decisions affecting Kyiv's access to support and European institutions.

Election Context

These are Bulgaria's eighth early parliamentary elections in just five years — a sign of prolonged political instability. Voter turnout was 48.5%. Ahead of the vote, Bulgaria requested EU assistance in combating Russian interference, and the Interior Ministry received 328 reports of possible vote irregularities on election day. Authorities also detained 30 people suspected of buying votes ahead of the election.