Rumen Radev wins Bulgarian election

Bulgarian voters have delivered a decisive mandate to Rumen Radev, with near-complete results showing his coalition winning an absolute majority in Parliament.

Radev, a former fighter pilot who has criticized EU sanctions on Russia, campaigned on a platform of ending political turmoil and addressing systemic corruption.

His victory marks a significant blow to the center-right forces that have dominated Bulgarian politics for the past decade.

The Kremlin has already expressed encouragement at the prospect of renewed pragmatic talks with the incoming administration.