Bulgarian Political Tensions Rise as Vassilev Accuses Radev of Favoring GERB

Sofia, Bulgaria – March 5, 2026 – Political tensions in Bulgaria are escalating as Radostin Vassilev, leader of the MECH party, publicly accused President Rumen Radev of legitimizing the influence of the GERB party through public appearances with party mayors in Stara Zagora and Burgas. This accusation marks a shift in Vassilev’s rhetoric, as he previously viewed Radev as a potential partner.

Vassilev Dismisses Dubai Trip Allegations

Vassilev addressed recent claims regarding a trip to Dubai, dismissing allegations of a meeting with Delyan Peevski as “incredible legends.” Speaking on Eurocom TV, he stated his visit was for personal reasons and official commitments as a lawyer, though his stay was extended due to flight cancellations Fakti.bg. He emphasized having no common ground with Peevski, referencing past disagreements and a prediction of the current governance model’s eventual downfall.

Evacuation Flight and Criticism of Organization

Vassilev confirmed his return to Bulgaria on a state-organized evacuation flight, having applied through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ crisis center. He estimated over 300 people were on board and criticized the organization of the evacuation, urging institutions to avoid differentiating between “politicians” and “organized tourists” in light of reports of abandoned tour groups in the Emirates Fakti.bg.

Criticism of President Radev and Concerns Over Advisors

Vassilev sharply criticized President Radev, alleging that the president is losing public trust due to the influence of advisors Nikolay Koprinkov and Plamen Uzunov. He stated his party, MECH, will no longer support Radev’s political projects Fakti.bg.

Assessment of the Current Government

Vassilev characterized the current official cabinet as dependent on Boyko Borisov and Delyan Peevski, citing alleged interference by Borisov in the Ministry of Defense and personnel decisions within the water and sanitation sector. He suggested that the power struggles between political players are often superficial, masking a deeper struggle for economic influence.

Foreign Policy and Economic Concerns

Regarding foreign policy, Vassilev advocated for neutrality in the Middle East conflict and reciprocity in relations with the United States, suggesting a link between the employ of Bulgarian military bases and visa-free travel for Bulgarian citizens, as well as the provision of military equipment. He similarly predicted a significant increase in electricity prices in the coming year, criticizing the energy regulator KEVR and the Ministry of Energy for a lack of transparency Fakti.bg.

Ongoing Political Crisis

Bulgaria has been facing a prolonged political crisis, with eight parliamentary elections held over the past five years (from April 2021 to April 2026) Wikipedia. This instability has led to several short-lived governments and the appointment of multiple caretaker Prime Ministers.