Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced his resignation on Monday, confirming widespread speculation that he intends to launch a new political project and seek the prime minister’s office. This development arrives just two months before Bulgaria’s upcoming snap parliamentary elections, marking another twist in the country’s persistent political crisis. Radev, who has served as head of state for nine years, is set to formally submit his resignation on Tuesday, paving the way for Vice President Iliana Yotova to assume the presidential duties.
Radev’s departure from the presidency underscores a deep dissatisfaction with the current political landscape. He articulated a strong critique of what he termed a “conveyor-belt” model of governance, characterizing it as a system with the outward appearance of democracy but functioning through oligarchic mechanisms. He expressed concern that Bulgarian democracy could not endure if left in the hands of “corrupt figures, deal-makers, and extremists.” This sentiment resonates with a public that has increasingly expressed disillusionment, evident in declining voter turnout, a lack of trust in the justice system, and skepticism towards the media.
During his tenure, Radev frequently found himself navigating a fractured political environment. The inability of various parties to forge stable majorities forced him to appoint seven caretaker governments over the years. This cycle of instability culminated in the recent protests, some of the largest since the 1990s, initially sparked by budget disagreements but quickly escalating into broader demands for the removal of key political figures, including former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Delyan Peevski, who faces Magnitsky Act sanctions. Such widespread public unrest highlights the profound disconnect between the populace and its political representatives.
A central theme in Radev’s criticism revolved around the perceived failures of Bulgaria’s political class to deliver tangible benefits despite achieving significant European integration milestones. “We are already members of Schengen and the eurozone,” Radev noted, questioning why these accomplishments had not translated into greater stability or public satisfaction. He probed why a substantial portion of Bulgarians felt impoverished and insecure within a European context, pointing to a fundamental breakdown in the social contract. This questioning of the dividends of European integration suggests a potential shift in national priorities should his new political endeavor prove successful.
Radev’s political platform appears poised to challenge established narratives, particularly concerning foreign policy. His stance on the conflict in Ukraine has often diverged from previous Bulgarian governments, leading some analysts and opponents to label him as “pro-Russian.” Addressing this directly in his speech, Radev accused some politicians of jeopardizing the “peaceful lives of Bulgarians” and even “encroaching on civil and ethnic peace” for their own political gain. This suggests a potential reorientation of Bulgaria’s international posture if he were to become prime minister.
Another point of contention for Radev has been the rejection of a referendum on the adoption of the euro, an issue that he described as creating a “final rift between Bulgarians and the political class.” Months before Bulgaria was scheduled to adopt the single European currency on January 1, 2026, Radev advocated for a public vote, which parliament ultimately rejected. He argued that representatives had denied the people their right to choose, further fueling his narrative of an unresponsive political elite. The upcoming snap elections will be the seventh since 2021, underscoring the deep-seated challenges facing Bulgaria’s political future, as Radev now seeks to reshape it from within parliament.
