Rumen Radev, the former president of Bulgaria and the country’s most popular politician, has established a new political union to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Recent surveys indicate that any list led by Radev could achieve a significant majority, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the current political landscape. Bulgaria has been mired in a political crisis for years, with eight parliamentary elections having occurred in the last five years and no government surviving a full year since 2021.

The political turmoil intensified last December when mass anti-corruption protests led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s government. Analysts predict that Radev's popularity, coupled with the public's anti-government sentiment, positions him favorably in the upcoming elections. The former air force general resigned from the presidency this January after nine years in office, prior promising to combat a political system he believes is intertwined with organized crime and oligarchic interests.

Despite the expectations of garnering the highest number of votes, Radev may still face challenges in securing a parliamentary majority necessary to form a government. As Bulgaria continues to grapple with political fragmentation and instability, the emergence of Radev’s union could significantly impact the dynamics of the upcoming elections and the potential for future governance in the country.