Former Bulgarian President Ruben Radev has won the parliamentary elections and is now in power. The leader of “progressive Bulgaria” will lead the country after announcing his candidacy last January, after a full 9 years in office. But why this choice? The desire to reorganize the government and increase support within and outside the political chambers, which, as he himself stated, are rife with “mafia and oligarchy.”

A former Air Force officer (and former top gunman), Radev won with approximately 45% of the vote, gaining over 130 of the 240 seats in Parliament. This is a historic result, effectively granting him full power of maneuver. And if the fall of Orban in Hungary (Magyar won) a week ago had a positive impact on Brussels, the same cannot be said for Radev’s hegemony, which on more than a few occasions has winked at friendly Russia.

But what does Radev really want to do and, above all, how much does the new (old) Bulgarian leader earn?

Who is Ruben Radev? Biography and political career

Born in 1963 in Dimitrovgrad, Rumen Radev is a somewhat atypical figure in the European political landscape (not in the rest of the world): a technician on loan to politics, with a career built first in the skies and then in the halls of power. After graduating with honors, he entered the Bulgarian Air Force Academy, becoming one of the best pilots of his generation. This is no small feat: he graduated as the best student and continued his training in the United States, at Maxwell Air Force Base, earning a master’s degree in strategic studies and a doctorate in military sciences.

His rise was rapid: commander of the Air Force with the rank of major general, he entered politics in 2016, when he won the presidential elections with the support of the Socialists. From there, he served two consecutive terms (2017-2026) marked by tensions with conservative-led governments, particularly Boyko Borissov.

The context leading up to the 2026 elections was far from stable: eight elections in five years, anti-corruption protests, and growing distrust of institutions. Amid all this, Radev resigned from the presidency to run directly for parliament. A risky choice, but a winning one. His promise to “destroy the oligarchic model” appealed to a jaded electorate, who agreed with him.

Ruben Radev’s Political Program

The core of Rumen Radev’s political project is a mix of fight against corruption and geopolitical pragmatism. Domestically, the leader of “Progressive Bulgaria” aims to dismantle what he calls an entrenched system of oligarchic power, openly accusing the previous elites of having compromised the development of the poorest country in the European Union.

His agenda includes structural reforms in the judiciary, greater transparency in public procurement, and a review of the relationship between politics and large economic groups. It is no coincidence that he has ruled out any alliance with traditional parties, including the GERB and minority-linked groups.

On the international level, the position is more nuanced but no less controversial. Radev advocates a “pro-Bulgarian” stance, which translates into a critical approach toward Brussels without leading to a split. While acknowledging the benefits of EU membership since 2007, he has repeatedly expressed doubts about certain strategic choices, such as adopting the euro, which he calls “premature.”

The most sensitive issue, however, remains the war in Ukraine: Radev has declared that “Russia is an aggressor,” but opposes sending military aid, arguing that the crisis must be resolved diplomatically. This position brings him closer to the stances of Hungary (Orban, not Hungary) and Slovakia, and fuels European fears of new vetoes within the Council.

How much does Ruben Radev earn? Bulgarian Prime Minister’s Salary and Net Worth

Economically, Rumen Radev is clearly at the top end of Bulgarian politics, but his earnings are still far from Western European standards. During his term as president, he earned a base salary of approximately 15,870 Bulgarian levs per month, equivalent to approximately 8,100 euros. However, thanks to bonuses linked to his long military career (approximately 1.4% for each year of service), his actual monthly income rose to approximately 19,000 levs, or 9,700 euros.

On an annual basis, this translates to over 230,000 levs (approximately 117,000 euros), a significant figure for a country with one of the lowest per capita GDPs in the European Union. There are no detailed official data on his total wealth, but public statements indicate a solid financial situation, built mainly through his institutional and military career.

Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Chi è e quanto guadagna Rumen Radev, il nuovo premier filorusso della Bulgaria-