'Bulgaria's future is at stake' - Radev casts his vote as polls open for country's eighth election in five years

"Former President Rumen Radev cast his vote in Sofia on Sunday as Bulgarians head back to the polls for the country's eighth parliamentary election in just five years. Footage shows Radev arriving at a polling station, casting his ballot and placing it in the box before speaking to reporters outside. Radev called for the formation of a 'regular, stable government' to address the country's problems, stressing his opposition to external influence on Bulgaria. "At stake is the future of Bulgaria," he told the press. "We need, finally, a path to a democratic, modern European Bulgaria, where the people are free to declare their voice." The former leader then urged North Macedonia to implement the 2022 EU-backed 'French Proposal' agreement by recognising Bulgarians as a constituent people. "This is the most important thing that needs to happen. Exactly if they do it, they will prove that they are stable," he argued. Radev then advocated for 'practical' and respectful relations with Russia, particularly in economic and security areas. "We we have to respect our history. You know, the role of Russia for liberating Bulgaria," he stressed. "I do believe that there will be future steps to finally set the relations between Europe and Russia based on security. This is extremely important for our future." Bulgarians are heading to the polls on Sunday for their eighth parliamentary election in five years, following the collapse of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov's government late last year. Radev, who resigned his office to lead the newly formed Progressive Bulgaria (PB) coalition, is running as a candidate in the race. He has centered his campaign on ending a years-long cycle of political instability while vocally opposing continued military aid for Ukraine. According to recent polls, Radev's coalition is favoured to lead with approximately 34% of the vote, holding a significant margin over the conservative GERB-SDS alliance, which is polling at roughly 20%. All 240 seats in the National Assembly are up for grabs. If no single party secures a clear majority, another round of complex coalition negotiations is likely."

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