Rumen Radev is sworn in as Bulgaria's prime minister
Updated
Updated · POLITICO Europe · May 8
Rumen Radev is sworn in as Bulgaria's prime minister
12 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · May 8
Parliament approved his appointment and cabinet on Thursday after Progressive Bulgaria won the first outright majority since 1997 in the 19 April election.
The former president and air force commander takes office after years of unstable coalitions and repeat elections in the EU member state.
Radev campaigned against corruption, instability and backroom dealmaking, as voter anger helped his new party sweep aside Bulgaria's traditional political forces.
Can a former general truly dismantle Bulgaria's 'mafia state' without harming its democracy in the process?
Will Bulgaria's new pro-Russian leader become another Orban, challenging Brussels from within the EU?
Bulgaria’s Historic 44% Vote for Progressive Bulgaria Ushers in Era of Single-Party Majority and Reform
Overview
On May 8, 2026, Rumen Radev was sworn in as Bulgaria's Prime Minister following Progressive Bulgaria's decisive April 19 election victory, which ended decades of fragmented coalition rule with a single-party majority of 131 seats. This success stemmed from widespread public frustration with corruption, economic hardship, and Radev's pragmatic leadership and foreign policy. The new government quickly set priorities to stabilize the economy, implement judicial and anti-corruption reforms, and maintain a balanced EU-aligned foreign policy. Despite public hope, the administration faces significant institutional challenges, including entrenched oligarchic networks and EU demands for rule of law progress, making its early actions critical for lasting change.