On 19 April 2026, Bulgaria will face its eight parliamentary election in the span of five years. The main difference this time is that there is a new player in the political field – earlier this year President Rumen Radev resigned from office to establish his own political project with the ambition to fight the corrupt establishment of Boyko Borissov and Delyan Peevski. Polls show that his ‘Progerssive Bulgaria’ will win this election.

How did we get here? What are the stakes for the rule of law? Will there be a regular government after this election? More importantly, will Radev be able to deliver on his promises?

In March, just before the start of the election campaign, I shared my thoughts with New Eastern Europe. You can read my full commentary titled ‘Bulgaria at the rule of law crossroads: can Rumen Radev become the much-needed game changer?’ here.