In the West, one event was called the “worst nightmare” for the EU and Ukraine

The victory of Eurosceptic Rumen Radev in the Bulgarian elections, where his coalition is preliminarily winning the largest share of the vote, could become the European Union’s “worst nightmare” and undermine European unity on Ukraine.

This is reported by the British newspaper The Telegraph.

“Radev’s Eurosceptic and pro-Russian views have led to comparisons with [Viktor] Orbán, the far-right prime minister of Hungary, which is also a member of the EU and NATO,” the paper writes.

The Telegraph also notes that, if he wins the election, Radev could use Bulgaria’s veto power to delay aid to Kyiv or block EU sanctions against Russia.

“Radev has repeatedly spoken out against military aid to Kyiv and called for peace negotiations with Russia. He has also opposed Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone in January and the signing of a security agreement with Ukraine,” the outlet noted.

However, The Telegraph writes that the need to form a coalition could restrain Radev’s Eurosceptic views and reduce the likelihood that he will challenge Western allies in the EU over Ukraine.

Sociologist Evelina Slavkova of the Trend research center also said that Radev is unlikely to make serious efforts to “reorient Bulgaria toward Russia,” since during the election campaign he did not make unambiguous statements to that effect.

Parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on April 19. According to exit polls, the party of President Rumen Radev, who is described as a pro-Russian candidate, is leading. Specifically, Radev’s party, “Progressive Bulgaria,” is receiving about 40% of the vote and is ahead of its main rival — former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s party, Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria.

On April 16, Politico wrote that the European Union leadership had become concerned about Radev’s position on Ukraine, as well as his desire to resume imports of Russian oil into the country.