More than 87% of the vote has been counted, putting Radev's Progressive Bulgaria (PB) in the lead with some 44.6% of the votes—an absolute majority of at least 132 seats in the 240-seat parliament.

The European Union's poorest member has seen successive governments since 2021, when anti-graft rallies brought down the centre-right administration of pro-European leader Boyko Borisov.

Radev, 62, who resigned earlier this year after nine years as president, ran on a pledge to fight corruption.

PB came in well ahead of the pro-Brussels, neoliberal PP-DB coalition, which stood at 13.5%, and Borisov's GERB party, which had 13.3%.

"PB has won unequivocally—a victory of hope over distrust, a victory of freedom over fear," Radev told reporters outside his group's office in Sofia.

He said Bulgaria would "make every effort to continue on its European path."

"But believe me, a strong Bulgaria and a strong Europe need critical thinking and pragmatism." The former air force general added

Europe has fallen victim to its own ambition to be a moral leader in a world with new rules.

Radev has said he wants to rid the Balkan nation of 6.5 million people of its "oligarchic governance model."

He backed anti-corruption protests last year that brought down the latest centre-right-backed government.

Radev has called for "practical relations with Russia, based on mutual respect and equal treatment."

The PM-elect has criticised a 10-year defence agreement signed last month between Bulgaria and Ukraine, and has also opposed Bulgaria sending arms to Ukraine, though he has said he would not use his country's veto to block EU decisions.