Exit polls released on election night by Sofia-based Alpha Research suggest the list associated with former President Rumen Radev captured a dominant share of the vote in Bulgaria’s parliamentary contest, securing 37.5% compared with 16.2% for the GERB party led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
The results, if borne out by official counts, would position Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria comfortably ahead of its nearest rival but short of an outright majority. Political analysts and campaign messaging alike have emphasized that any administration formed from these results will require coalition partners to command a working parliamentary majority.
Rumen Radev resigned the presidency in January to enter the campaign for parliament. He is described in exit poll reporting as a eurosceptic and a former fighter pilot who has expressed opposition to military assistance for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Radev’s campaign focused on stamping out corruption and ending what it described as a spiral of weak, short-lived governments.
The vote follows mass protests that forced the previous government from power in December. For Bulgaria, this election represents the eighth national ballot in five years in a nation with a population of about 6.5 million people. Repeated snap polls and a compact group of long-standing politicians perceived by many voters as corrupt have contributed to public fatigue with frequent elections.
While the exit poll figures point to a clear lead for Radev’s party, the necessity of assembling partners to form a majority introduces political uncertainty. Coalition negotiations will determine whether campaign promises can be translated into a stable governing program. The immediate post-election period is expected to include bargaining among parties over policy priorities and ministerial posts.
Alpha Research’s exit poll provides an early snapshot rather than final results. Official tallies and the process of government formation will ultimately determine how the country addresses the issues highlighted during the campaign, including corruption and governance stability.