By SCM REPORTER
BULGARIA was rocked last night after its President sensationally quit his post to dive into a “battle for the future” of the country.
Rumen Radev, a former Top Gun fighter pilot, announced his shock resignation in a televised address to the nation, sending the country’s political establishment into a tailspin.
The 62-year-old leader revealed he will formally hand his notice to the Constitutional Court today (Tuesday).
The move is widely seen as a bold power play to allow him to lead his own political party in upcoming snap elections.
In a defiant final speech, the former Air Force general told viewers: “The battle for the future of our homeland lies ahead. We are ready. We can, and we will succeed!”
Under the Bulgarian constitution, Vice-President Iliana Iotova will take the controls as acting President until new elections are held.
Radev’s exit comes as the Balkan nation remains trapped in a brutal political cycle, with the country heading toward its eighth general election in just four years.
Background: A Nation in Turmoil
Bulgaria, a member of the EU and NATO, has been paralyzed by a long-running feud between President Radev and the country’s traditional political elite.
The Power Vacuum: A series of fragmented parliaments have failed to form a stable government.
The last coalition collapsed in December 2025 following massive anti-corruption protests.
The “General’s” Ambition: While the presidency is largely ceremonial, Radev has used the office to launch stinging attacks on the center-right GERB party and its leader, Boyko Borissov.
Euro Skeptic: Radev has previously expressed skepticism over Bulgaria joining the Euro—which the country officially adopted on January 1, 2026—and has often taken a more “Kremlin-friendly” stance on the war in Ukraine compared to his rivals.
New Party: By resigning, Radev frees himself from the neutral constraints of the presidency.
Analysts believe he will now launch a “big tent” party to “unite all democrats” against the corruption he claims has crippled the state.
