Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria (PB) party won 44.6% of the vote in the April 19 elections, giving it a majority in the 240-seat parliament and positioning the country for its first single-party government in nearly 30 years.
The former air force commander and ex-president officially received the mandate to form a government on Thursday from Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova after weeks of negotiations following the election.
Speaking in Sofia, Radev pledged to tackle inflation, restore political stability, and accelerate anti-corruption reforms that have delayed access to key European Union recovery funds. He said his administration would focus on lowering living costs, reforming the judiciary, and restoring public trust in state institutions.
“We will reverse the trend of skyrocketing prices and restore stability,” Radev said while presenting his proposed cabinet.
Among the major appointments announced were Velislava Petrova-Chamova as foreign minister and former caretaker prime minister Galab Donev as finance minister. The new cabinet is expected to move quickly to pass a fresh national budget, set debt limits, and secure delayed EU recovery payments tied to anti-corruption reforms.
Radev resigned from the presidency earlier this year to contest the election after mass protests over corruption and the rising cost of living forced the previous government from office. His newly formed Progressive Bulgaria party campaigned heavily on promises to dismantle what it described as an “oligarchic governance model” in the country.
Despite concerns among some European officials about Radev’s perceived pro-Russian stance, his party has insisted Bulgaria’s foreign policy direction will remain balanced and committed to the European Union. Analysts, however, say the new administration’s approach toward Russia and the war in Ukraine will be closely watched by Western allies.
The Bulgarian parliament is expected to vote on approving the new government within days.
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