Former energy minister Miroslav Sevlievski said Rumen Radev is trying to balance between pro-European commitments and a softer approach toward Russia, arguing that Bulgaria's EU and NATO membership remains non-negotiable. Speaking to bTV, he suggested that despite such political signals, the country's external alignment is unlikely to change. He added that he expects ?Progressive Bulgaria? to quickly reassure partners that no deviation from this course will take place.
Sevlievski also linked Radev's political positioning to the lack of a traditional left-wing force in the new parliament, describing it as an opportunity for him to place what he called a ?left-wing accent? within the broader European political family.
Sociologist Stefan Georgiev described the strong electoral performance of ?Progressive Bulgaria? as an outcome that was widely anticipated but still underestimated in scale. He noted that analysts failed to predict the size of the electoral surge, adding that the party system is entering a new phase in which, as he put it, ?there will be no left-wing party? represented in parliament.
Political scientist Petar Cholakov also pointed to a shift in the political landscape, saying Bulgaria is entering a new stage in its governance dynamics. He raised questions about potential changes in the balance of power among leading political actors, including speculation about whether Boyko Borissov might step back from the foreground while maintaining influence through other figures.
Cholakov further commented on the formation process behind Radev's political project, suggesting it did not rely on personal financial resources but rather on broader networks of support, which he described as a possible future vulnerability.
According to him, one of the most likely policy directions for a Radev-led administration would be a renewed focus on Russian energy imports, including hydrocarbons, gas and fuel supplies.
He also warned about potential political risks tied to institutional reform, arguing that constitutional changes must be handled carefully to avoid accusations of power consolidation. In his view, key early priorities would include constitutional amendments, restructuring the Supreme Judicial Council, addressing the status of the prosecutorial leadership, and resolving issues related to Borislav Sarafov's position.
