With a pro-Russia party likely to secure a majority in Bulgaria's parliamentary election, expectations are growing that the country's foreign policy line will shift.
According to Reuters on the 19th, preliminary counting from Bulgaria's election held that day showed the Progressive Bulgaria Party (PB), led by former President Rumen Radev, winning 44.59% of the vote with 32% of ballots counted. Local pollster Alpha Research predicted PB would ultimately take more than 43%.
If PB's victory is confirmed as pollsters expect, the party could secure a majority of 129 seats in the 240-seat parliament.
Former President Radev has already declared victory, saying, "This victory is hope over distrust, and freedom over fear." He has shown a pro-Russia bent, opposing sanctions on Russia and Europe's support for Ukraine, and during his tenure expressed an anti-European Union (EU) stance, including opposing Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone.
This election was called after Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced his intention to resign in December last year following anti-government protests over economic policy and corruption. Bulgaria has been mired in political turmoil, holding eight parliamentary elections over the past five years.
While the vote could ease Bulgaria's chronic political instability, the likelihood of a change in foreign policy is also rising. Bulgaria has maintained a pro-Western course within the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), but a Radev government with pro-Russia leanings would likely take positions at odds with key member states.
In particular, the EU often requires unanimity among member states for major internal and external policies. Earlier, the Hungarian government led by President Viktor Orban openly displayed a pro-Russia stance, putting the brakes on several EU decisions, including policies to support Ukraine.