Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev leaves after announcement that he is stepping down from his position at Bulgarian Presidency, Sofia, Bulgaria, Monday, January 19, 2026. VALENTINA PETROVA / AP
Bulgaria's president announced on Monday, January 19, that he was resigning before snap elections in the coming months, deepening political turmoil that has gripped the EU and NATO member. The Balkan country, which introduced the euro on January 1, was plunged into fresh political turmoil after a series of widespread anti-corruption protests swept a conservative-led government from office in mid-December.
Rumen Radev, a vocal government critic who supported the protests, announced last week that a snap vote – the country's eighth election in five years – would be held after parties failed to form a new government. "Today, I am addressing you for the last time as president of Bulgaria," Radev said during a televised speech, adding that he would resign from his post on Tuesday.
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Bulgaria joins the euro divided, in political crisis and without a budget
