Rumen Radev Leads Bulgarian Polls as Snap Elections Approach

Bulgaria is heading towards its eighth parliamentary election in five years on April 19th, following a period of political instability marked by protests over budget failures and corruption allegations. Recent polls indicate that former President Rumen Radev, leading the Progressive Bulgaria coalition, is currently in the lead, though his support has seen a slight decline.

Poll Results: Progressive Bulgaria and GERB-SDS in the Lead

A new survey by Market Links, conducted between March 7th and 15th among 1006 adult Bulgarians and financed jointly by BTV and the sociological agency, shows Progressive Bulgaria with 21.1% of the vote. The GERB-SDS coalition follows closely behind with 18.6%. [EUalive]

This represents a 4.5% decrease in support for Radev compared to a previous Market Links survey in February, which had predicted 25.6%. Another survey by “Measure” at that time indicated even higher support for the former president, at 33.3%.

Other Parties and Undecided Voters

PP-DB ranks third with 12%, followed by DPS and “Vazrazhdane” with 7.2% and 4.9% respectively. Several other parties are struggling to surpass the 4% threshold required for parliamentary representation, including BSP with 3%, MECH with 2.8%, and Velichie with 2.7%. APS (1.3%), Blue Bulgaria (1.2%), and Nikolay Popov’s “Shine” coalition (1%) also fall below the barrier, as does ITN with 0.2%.

A significant portion of the electorate remains undecided, with 19.1% still unsure of their choice. Pollster Dobromir Zhivkov from Market Links notes that two-thirds of these undecided voters are likely to make their decision in the final three days before the election. [EUalive]

Trust in Political Figures

Both President Iliana Yotova and former President Rumen Radev currently enjoy a 49% trust rating. Boyko Borisov, the leader of GERB-SDS, has 15% trust, while Asen Vasilev, the leader of “We continue the change,” also has 15% sympathy.

Radev’s trust rating has decreased from 51% in February, according to Market Links data. Andrey Gyurov’s office currently has 24% support and 43% distrust.

Low Confidence in Institutions

Confidence in the National Assembly remains exceptionally low, with only 9% expressing trust and 71% expressing distrust. [EUalive]

Radev’s Political Career

Rumen Georgiev Radev, born on June 18, 1963, in Dimitrovgrad, served as the President of Bulgaria from 2017 until 2026, becoming the first president in Bulgaria’s post-communist history to resign from office. [Wikipedia] Prior to his presidency, Radev was a Major General and higher commander of the Bulgarian Air Force. [Wikipedia] He assumed the leadership of Progressive Bulgaria on March 2, 2026. [Wikipedia] He was previously affiliated with the Bulgarian Communist Party (1985-1990) before becoming an independent politician.