Rumen Radev, pro-Russia ex-pilot who wants to give Bulgaria wings
Former fighter pilot Rumen Radev has vowed to lead Bulgaria out of a chronic political crisis, with his grouping winning Sunday's general election – the eighth in five years.
The 62-year-old has presented himself as a defender of the poor of the EU's poorest country as he walks a tightrope on European issues.
He has hailed the benefits Bulgaria has reaped from EU membership while calling for dialogue with Russia as its invasion of Ukraine rages into a fifth year of fighting.
- Kremlin-friendly ex-president Rumen Radev scores big election win in Bulgaria NBC News —
- Bulgaria election results: pro-Kremlin former fighter pilot is new PM The Times —
- Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory South China Morning Post —
- Bulgaria's pro-Russian ex-president wins election in landslide Reuters —
- Bulgaria’s Radev Wins 45%, Gerb Has 13% With All Votes Counted Bloomberg —