Radev the new Orban? Is Bulgaria turning towards the Kremlin?

After the electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the European Union will have to face the intentions of the future Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, whose rhetoric resembles that of the Hungarian politician, Spanish media commented on Monday.

“Will Rumen Radev become the new Orbán?” – wrote the Catalan daily “La Vanguardia”, referring to Orbán, who led Hungarian politics for 16 years.

The media in Spain emphasized that Radev is a Eurosceptic and a supporter of Russia. “After Orban's defeat in the elections on April 12, Russia lost its most important ally in the EU. Although Radev seems to be a potential successor to Orban, it is not clear whether he is ready to confront Brussels to get closer to the Kremlin,” said “La Vanguardia”.

The newspaper “El Pais” also drew attention to the similarity between the rhetoric used by Radev and Orban. As he emphasized, after the elections in Hungary, the EU will now have to face the intentions of the former president of Bulgaria, who opposes the euro and aid for Ukraine.

The daily “El Mundo” assessed that Radev “is trying to ensure stability in a country that has reached an impasse” after eight parliamentary elections in five years.

“Although he is haunted by the label of 'pro-Russianism', it is worth nuanced it a bit. He himself fueled it with controversial views, such as his opposition to sending weapons to Ukraine and his statement in 2021 that Crimea is 'Russian', which sparked protests in Kiev and concern in Washington,” recalled “El Mundo.”

However, the newspaper notes that Radev “does not fit the profile of an EU or NATO opponent: in terms of rhetoric, he rather resembles a pragmatic nationalist who does not question Bulgaria's membership in the West, although he criticizes the fact that Brussels and large European capitals pay too little attention to the interests of the countries located on the Black Sea and Bulgaria's energy dependence.”

After conversion, 92 percent of the votes cast in Sunday's parliamentary elections, the Progressive Bulgaria coalition of former president Radev won the support of 44.7 percent, which may give it an independent majority in the 240-seat parliament.

From Madrid Marcin Furdyna (PAP)

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