Germany, after Rumen Radev won the elections in Bulgaria: the EU needs "reliable partners"

The German government declared on Monday that the European Union needs "trustworthy partners" in these difficult times, following the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, won by the party of former eurosceptic president Rumen Radev. The spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry, Josef Hinterseher, expressed hope for the rapid formation of a stable government in Sofia, emphasizing that Germany has taken note of the election results but will not comment on the internal affairs of an EU partner. Radev, the leader of the "Progressive Bulgaria" party, secured 44.7% of the votes, ensuring a parliamentary majority. With a campaign focused on anti-inflation measures and combating corruption, Radev advocated for the resumption of dialogue with Russia and adopted a critical stance towards liberal principles, including towards policies favorable to the LGBTI minority.