Bulgarian journalist Stefan Tashev told Guildhall that Rumen Radev’s rise to power was the result of a Russian hybrid operation involving protests, social media manipulation, pro-Russian oligarchs and influence operations targeting young people.
— Are there facts and indicators suggesting that the Russian Federation interfered in Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections? What goals has Russia pursued, and does it continue to pursue, in Bulgaria?
— There is no official data or information confirming Russian interference in Bulgaria’s elections. But Rumen Radev’s victory was secured not now, but in December 2025, during the organisation of protests in Bulgaria.
According to unofficial information, a classic hybrid operation was carried out at that time through various platforms — TikTok and Instagram — to manipulate young people into protesting and taking to the streets. Troll farms were also used for the same purpose, as well as SMS messages sent to minors.
Behind this stood money from Russian agents and oligarchs directly linked to Russia, such as Vasil Bozhkov, known as “The Skull”. He is facing nine cases, ranging from ordering murders to failing to pay millions of leva in gambling taxes.
Through these protests and the resignation of the government, Radev’s path to power was opened. His campaign was the most expensive in Bulgaria’s history, with millions of euros spent, again by the same oligarchs.
Russia has always pursued its goals in Bulgaria as if it were a Transdanubian governorate. This has not changed since 1878, nor since 1944, when the USSR de facto occupied Bulgaria, nor after the fall of Zhivkov’s regime in 1989.
It is no coincidence that Radev’s circle includes communist oligarchs who accumulated wealth thanks to their past links with State Security.
Russia’s main goal is for Bulgaria to remain dependent on energy resources — oil and gas.
— What is the most likely coalition? What could Russian influence look like here?
— There will be no coalition. With almost 100% of protocols processed, Radev has a full majority — possibly around 135 MPs.
One of the key points of his election campaign, which sharply turned toward Russia in the middle of the campaign, was that Bulgaria should not pay for aid to Ukraine together with EU countries. That says a lot.
During his campaign for a second presidential term in autumn 2021, Radev’s main opponent, Professor Gerdzhikov, asked him during a debate: “Whose is Crimea?” Radev’s answer was: “Russian.”
Radev was brought into Bulgarian politics in 2016 by Russian KGB General Leonid Reshetnikov, who at the time was responsible for the Balkans. In dozens of interviews, he boasted that Radev was his man, who would take Bulgaria out of the EU and NATO. I think that shows everything.
Radev opposed providing weapons to Ukraine and claimed that Ukraine would lose the war within a few months.
— How do you assess the likelihood of the following scenarios: a minority government by Progressive Bulgaria with situational support from PP–DB and partly from BSP; a minority government with hidden or semi-formal support from Revival; a minority government with technical tolerance or undeclared support from GERB; or a pure minority government that forms different majorities for each separate decision?
— At this point, with 99% of election protocols processed, Radev has a full majority — more than 135 MPs. BSP does not enter parliament, receiving 3%, while Revival receives only about 4.5%.
Radev will not need a coalition with anyone.
Exclusively for Guildhall.
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