Bulgaria goes to the polls for the eighth round of elections in the last five years. Rumen Radev is the favorite amid promises to combat corruption.

Bulgaria is organizing today the eighth round of elections in the last five years.

The favorite is Rumen Radev, leader of the center-left group 'Progressive Bulgaria', who promises to combat corruption and to renew relations with Russia. A former general of the air forces, Rumen Radev has supported the resumption of relations with Russia and has criticized military support for Ukraine, having been president for nine years. Radev recently resigned to lead 'Progressive Bulgaria', and polls suggest he could obtain 35% of the votes. In the context of a political crisis that has lasted since 2021, Radev has supported anti-corruption protests and has criticized the EU's green energy policy.

The pro-European GERB party, led by Boiko Borisov, is expected to take second place with about 20% of the votes.

Radev has ruled out collaboration with GERB and the leader of DPS, Delyan Peevski, and aims to obtain an absolute majority in parliament.

A high voter turnout is expected, mobilized by Radev, despite issues related to trust in politics and corruption scandals.