Bulgarian ex-president looks set to win election

TT

Published 19.52

          

          Former President Rumen Radev on Sunday after casting his vote at a polling station in Sofia.                      Photo: Valentina Petrova /AP/TT

The coalition led by former fighter pilot and general Rumen Radev – who was also president from 2017 until January this year – looks set to win Bulgaria's parliamentary election, according to an exit poll.

The coalition is set to win around 38 percent of the vote.

Radev's newly formed Progressive Bulgaria party was the frontrunner and was expected to become the largest party in today's election, after promising to fight corruption and powerful oligarchs. Over the years, he has also advocated better relations with Russia, which has raised questions about his political line.

The parliamentary elections in Bulgaria are the country's eighth in five years. During his time as president, Radev has seen countless prime ministers come and go.

Voter turnout is expected to be around 43 percent, according to exit polls.