Bulgaria elects pro-Russian leader

Rumen Radev, an ex-fighter pilot known for his friendly stance toward the Kremlin, is set to lead Bulgaria's first single-party government in decades.

His center-left coalition secured a decisive majority, crushing long-dominant political forces that have been plagued by corruption scandals.

The election outcome follows a similar populist surge in neighboring Hungary and has raised concerns in Brussels about the unity of the European Union.

Radev's administration is expected to prioritize economic stability and energy security while reassessing the country's military commitments to Ukraine.