Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria (PB) party has won a landslide victory in Sunday's Bulgarian election - the eighth general election in five years.
By L.F. Mehmed ( Göksu Başaran )
With almost 100% of the vote counted, his PB movement, only set up 4 months ago, won 44.7% and has secured a majority of 135 seats in the 240-seat parliament. It is the first time since 1997 that a single Bulgarian party has sufficient seats to govern alone.
Ex-prime minister Boiko Borisov's GERB party came second with 13.4%, with the liberal PP-DB coalition third with 12.8%.
"People rejected the self-satisfaction and arrogance of old parties and did not fall prey to lies and manipulation. I thank them for their trust," Radev said, in his victory speech.
He promised to build "a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe".
"What Europe needs right now is critical thinking, pragmatic actions and good results, especially to build a new security architecture and … recover its industrial power and competitiveness. That will be the main contribution of Bulgaria to its European mission," he said.
Radev, 62, is seen as a pragmatic, somewhat pro-Russian leader, who has criticised EU sanctions, and called for constructive dialogue with the Kremlin.
He opposes Bulgarian military support for Ukraine, but is more likely to seek compromise than confrontation with fellow European leaders.
"Radev is unlikely to obstruct EU support for Ukraine," said Philip Gounev, a security analyst in Sofia and former deputy Bulgarian Interior Minister.
"His approach will be pragmatic, more like Slovak premier Robert Fico than outgoing Hungarian premier Viktor Orbán."
Not all his supporters are pro-Russian, meaning he will "be seeking a middle ground and present it as defence of the national interest - such as cheap energy resources to help the economy," Gounev added.
In practice, that could mean continuing to allow crucial Bulgarian arms exports to Ukraine, but opting out of EU financial support.
He fought this election largely on domestic policies, promising to combat corruption, and restore stable government after years of weak and easily-toppled coalitions.
He stepped down after nine years as president in January to form his new movement.
A former Mig-29 fighter pilot and commander-in-chief of the Bulgarian Air Force, his victory is impressive by Bulgarian standards.
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