Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova will hand the mandate to form a government to Progressive Bulgaria on May 7 after the party won 44.6% of the vote. The party can govern without a coalition partner, and Iotova hopes parliament will confirm the cabinet on May 8. PB has nominated former president Rumen Radev — who resigned in January to run after mass protests — as its candidate for prime minister. Radev is a eurosceptic who has opposed further military support for Ukraine.
Progressive Bulgaria To Receive Government Mandate On May 7 After 44.6% Election Win
Rumen Radev, former Bulgarian president and leader of Progressive Bulgaria coalition, votes during the parliamentary election, in Sofia, Bulgaria. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Sofia, May 5 — Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova said she will hand the mandate to form a new government to Progressive Bulgaria (PB) on May 7, following the party's decisive victory in last month's parliamentary election.
"I will hand over the mandate to form a government on May 7," Iotova said, adding that PB, the largest party in parliament, has assured her it will be ready with a proposed cabinet.
Rumen Radev, former Bulgarian president and leader of Progressive Bulgaria coalition, arrives to vote during the parliamentary election, in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Iotova said she hopes the new government will be confirmed by parliament and take office on May 8. Progressive Bulgaria secured 44.6% of the vote after all ballots were counted — a result sufficient for the party to form a government without a coalition partner and to end a period of political instability that produced eight elections over five years.
PB has already named former president Rumen Radev as its nominee for prime minister. Radev, a former fighter pilot and noted eurosceptic, resigned the largely ceremonial presidency in January to run in the April parliamentary poll after mass protests forced out the previous government in December.
Rumen Radev, former Bulgarian president and leader of Progressive Bulgaria coalition, leaves after voting during the parliamentary election, in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
Radev has signalled opposition to providing further military support to Ukraine, a stance that is likely to shape Bulgaria's foreign and defence policy debates if his party takes power. PB officials say they will present a proposed cabinet when they receive the mandate.
Implications: With a clear parliamentary majority, PB faces a narrow window to secure rapid confirmation and begin addressing domestic concerns and foreign-policy questions, particularly regarding Bulgaria's stance on support for Ukraine and relations with EU partners.
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