Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party looks set to win Sunday's Bulgarian Parliamentary election - the eighth general election in five years.
Exit polls put his Progressive Bulgaria on 37%, more than double the score of the closest runner-up, former prime minister Boiko Borisov's GERB on 16%.
Three or four other parties are also projected to cross the 4% threshold and enter Parliament.
The election was called after the previous government attempted to push through a controversial budget last December, prompting mass protests supported by Radev, the president.
In a victory speech, Radev expressed gratitude to voters, stating, People rejected the self-satisfaction and arrogance of old parties and did not fall prey to lies and manipulation. He pledged to construct a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe and called for critical thinking and pragmatic actions in the continent's current circumstances.
Radev, 62, is known for his pragmatic stance, occasionally leaning towards pro-Russian sentiments. He has criticized EU sanctions and called for dialogue with the Kremlin while opposing military support for Ukraine.
Campaigning on domestic issues, Radev pledged to combat corruption and restore stable governance following years of weak coalitions. After resigning from the presidency in January, he formed the new movement.
Although Radev's win is significant, it doesn't grant Progressive Bulgaria a commanding mandate, prompting him to seek coalition partners.
As Bulgaria plays a vital role in supplying ammunition to Ukraine through intermediaries, Radev's position against military supplies aligns him with skepticism from other leaders in the region.
Radev's administration is now positioned to navigate complex European dynamics and bolster Bulgaria's role within the European defense sector, amid an evolving geopolitical landscape.
