"No one can deny that Bulgarians have a certain tendency to experiment before the ballot box" - what German-language publications write about Rumen Radev and the elections in Bulgaria.
German-language publications are unanimous in their assessments of Rumen Radev - the headlines talk about "friend of Russia", about "Putin's Understander", about the next "Trojan Horse" in the EU and for "an election that also sends a clear message to the EU".
"The Rumen Show"
No one can deny that Bulgarians have a certain penchant for experimentation at the ballot box, writes Barbara Yortel, a journalist for the German "Tageszeitung" (TAC), who is well acquainted with political developments in Bulgaria. In an article titled "The Rumen Show", she recalls that there is almost no political force to which Bulgarians have not entrusted the fate of their country since 1989. "In 2001, even the last Tsar was "resurrected" to lead Bulgaria to a better future as Prime Minister," writes Yortel. "Forming a stable government, however, will not necessarily be an easy task, and the winner Radev, who simply "flew" over the other candidates, could quickly land in Bulgarian reality," the German journalist commented.
The "Merkur" newspaper, in turn, emphasized the concerns that "pro-Russian former military pilot Rumen Radev could become the next Viktor Orban" and "turn into a nightmare for the EU". The boulevard "Bild" also commented similarly, asking whether Radev would now replace Orban. The publication calls him "Putin's confidant" and recalls that Radev rejects arms supplies to Ukraine.
"Radev's election is a clear message to Brussels regarding the course towards Ukraine," the "Tageszeitung" notes in turn and quotes Bulgarian journalist and author of the DW Veselin Stoynev as saying that Radev can only become a "weakened version" of Orban. According to Stoynev, we will have to prepare for "a gradual geopolitical reorientation of the country, for a possible return to the old energy dependencies and for a more conflictive behavior within the EU". Therefore, Brussels must prepare for all possible scenarios, the publication concludes.
Will Bulgaria not soon be governed in a pro-Russian style, asks the authoritative "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" (FAZ). The author Michael Martens points out that many observers are now wondering whether Radev is not the new Orban in the EU. "The short answer is: No. The long answer should start with the words: No, however", Martens writes. He nevertheless believes that the fears of a "new Orban" are exaggerated, including due to the fact that - unlike Orban - Radev does not have a two-thirds majority.
Another commentator on FACS draws attention to the following aspect of Radev's victory - that too little is known about his views on economic and financial issues. And this is important, points out the author Andreas Mim, since Germany is Bulgaria's most important trading partner. About one-seventh of Bulgarian exports are destined for the largest economy in the EU, and one-tenth of imports come from there. "But the current data and economists' forecasts do not seem so optimistic. And in 2025, growth remained below the level of the previous year", the publication points out.
"Delicate" from a foreign policy point of view
The Swiss "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" also draws attention to the concerns about a pro-Russian line in the Bulgarian government. The publication recalls that Radev was against the agreement with Ukraine, concluded by the caretaker government. In addition, he openly spoke out against sending military aid to Ukraine, which, in his opinion, only prolonged the war. Such positions create headaches in Brussels. The EU fears that under Radev's rule, Bulgaria may orient itself more strongly towards Russia, the publication also writes and recalls that Radev was also critical of the introduction of the euro without a referendum.
The German "Frankfurter Rundschau" views Radev's victory as "delicate" from a foreign policy perspective, since he could put the EU under increased pressure regarding its policy towards Ukraine. "At the same time, he is leading by such a large margin precisely at a time when Russian influence in Europe is about to be measured anew after the elections in Hungary. Radev's success makes it difficult to conclude that pro-Russian forces are being pushed out everywhere in Europe," the publication comments.
"Süddeutsche Zeitung" published an interview with Bulgarian writer Dimitar Dinev on the occasion of his novel "Time of the Brave". The article has no direct connection with the elections in Bulgaria, but it also talks about the mentality of Bulgarians and the Bulgarian voter. "What is happening in Bulgaria is a warning to Europe", the publication writes, quoting the author, who expresses despair over the collapse of democracy. "In Eastern Europe, they have mainly learned one lesson from history: that nothing can be learned from it," Dinev told the German publication.