Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria Wins Election

0:00It's April 19th. This is Global News Today, AI-powered story shaping the world. I'm Cory with the story. Progressive Bulgaria, led by former President Roman Radev, is dominating Bulgaria's parliamentary election with 37% in exit polls. More than double the 16% for runner-up, GERB. This marks the eighth general election in just five years, triggered by a controversial budget push last December that sparked massive protests. Radev, a 62-year-old ex-fighter pilot, stepped down from the presidency in January after nine years to launch his party. He focused the campaign on fighting corruption and building stable government after years of shaky coalitions, while three or four other parties should clear the 4% threshold to join parliament. Voters seem to have rejected the old guard's arrogance, as Radev put it in his victory speech, thanking them for the trust. He's promising a strong Bulgaria and a strong Europe, emphasizing pragmatic moves on security

1:02and industry, though he's known for criticizing EU. Sanctions on Russia, and opposing direct military aid to Ukraine. Despite that stance, Bulgaria's arms sector is booming, supplying ammo and explosives to Ukraine through neighbors like Romania. Radev even takes credit for a major 1 billion euro deal with Germany's Reinwital to produce up to 100,000 shells a year at a factory, near Sofia, turning Soviet error plants into NATO players. Looking ahead, Radev will need coalition partners to govern, and his approach mirrors leaders like Slovakia's Robert Fiko, tough on EU aid, but open to. Private arms production, ramping up Europe's defenses. This could steady Bulgaria's wild political ride, while boosting its industrial edge.