‘Commissioners have absolutely no role’

BULGARIAN ELECTION: Bulgarians turned out in large numbers to oust the centre-right GERB party, with projections showing pro-Russian former President Rumen Radev’s new Progressive Bulgaria party leading on around 44% after campaigning on anti-corruption pledges. The result points to a fragmented parliament but a potential anti-graft majority, after months of street protests over endemic corruption.

It’s worth examining accusations from GERB leader Boyko Borissov that Radev could become the EU’s new Viktor Orbán. Radev has opposed sending weapons to Ukraine and sanctioning Russia, but he’s also got a track record of playing ball with the Brussels mainstream and has pledged not to block EU decision-making. The question now is who Radev will govern with. One option is the pro-EU, anti-corruption We Continue the Change party, which sits with Renew in Brussels. Other options include assorted socialists and nationalists.

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