# Rumen Radev controversy, cabinet trust, election date set > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rumen-radev-controversy-in-bulgaria > Updated: 2026-08-02T08:47:38.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 8. Early July 2026, commentators criticised President Rumen Radev for not delivering a radical break from the GER‑B and DPS‑dominated system. High‑level appointments kept the status quo and his handling of MP Delian Peevski’s controversial flights was seen as a public humiliation, suggesting little reform progress. By late July the cabinet ordered the return of former DPS and BSP headquarters to state ownership and forced both parties to vacate within ten days. Former BSP MP Gabriel Valkan called for a progressive tax and warned of a large deficit. On 21 July the Council of Ministers confirmed the DPS headquarters hand‑over, while Bulgaria withdrew from the “Coalition of the Willing,” redeployed U.S. tanker aircraft and stalled a Kyiv declaration, raising questions about Radev’s foreign‑policy coherence. Democratic Bulgaria warned on 23 July that the 2026 budget risked a fiscal spiral. Sociologist Andrey Raichev noted on 26 July that polls showed stable public confidence, identifying criticism from a Russian‑friendly bloc and a “blues” opposition reacting to perceived U.S. influence. A 30 July poll gave 42 % approval for the Radev cabinet (personal trust 47.8 %) and highlighted concerns over prices, corruption, health‑care, road safety and low policy effectiveness; Progressive Bulgaria led party support at 41.6 %. On 31 July Parliament set 25 October for the presidential election. The governing Progressive Bulgarian party backs incumbent President Iliana Yotova, testing whether Radev’s party can retain both the presidency and government. The Central Election Commission will conduct the vote with mandatory electronic voting in about 9,400 stations using roughly 12,000 machines, with maintenance pending and a possible runoff on 1 November. ## Claims - The vote count was 138 in favour, 0 against and 7 abstentions. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The elections will be primarily conducted by electronic voting machines, with exceptions for sections with fewer than 300 voters, mobile ballot boxes, hospitals, care homes, vessels under the national (corroborated by 9 sources) - The Bulgarian National Assembly voted to schedule the presidential and vice‑presidential elections for 25 October 2026. (corroborated by 8 sources) - If no candidate wins the first round, a runoff will be held on 1 November 2026. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The vote was supported by the parliamentary groups Progressive Bulgaria, DPS and Revival. (corroborated by 8 sources) - President Iliana Yotov's current term ends on 22 January 2027. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Parliament scheduled its summer recess for early August, officially from 5 to 23 August. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: Boyko Borisov says Bulgaria’s government faces total crisis Boyko Borisov denounced Bulgaria’s government as being in total crisis, accusing President Radev of misleading voters and linking price hikes to the euro, ahead of the September presidential election. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/boyko-borisov-says-bulgarias-government-faces-total-crisis ### 2026-08-01: Bulgarian Election Commission Prepares Machine Voting for Oct 2026 Presidential Election Bulgaria's Central Election Commission will use electronic voting in about 9,400 stations for the 25 Oct 2026 presidential election, with machine maintenance pending and a possible runoff on 1 Nov. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-election-commission-prepares-machine-voting-for-oct-2026-presidential-election ### 2026-07-31: Bulgaria schedules presidential vote for October 25 Bulgaria’s Parliament set 25 Oct for the presidential election, endorsing incumbent Iliana Yotova. The vote will test Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s party dominance; a runoff follows on 1 Nov if needed. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-schedules-presidential-vote-for-october-25 ### 2026-07-29: Bulgarian Parliament sets presidential election for 25 Oct 2026 Bulgaria’s parliament set the presidential election for 25 Oct 2026, runoff on 1 Nov if needed, with 138‑0‑7 vote; machine voting will be primary, and a summer recess was approved. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-poll-42-approve-radev-cabinet-progressive-bulgaria-leads-with-416-support ### 2026-07-26: Bulgaria's Radev Cabinet Trust Remains Stable, Sociologist Says Sociologist Андрей Райчев says data shows no decline in trust for Bulgaria's Radev cabinet, attributing criticism to Russian‑friendly voters and opposition reacting to U.S. actions. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarias-radev-cabinet-trust-remains-stable-sociologist-says ### 2026-07-23: Rumen Radev Criticised Over 2026 Budget and Energy Policies Bulgarian officials Jordan Ivanov and former minister Rumen Ovcharov criticize President Rumen Radev’s 2026 budget and energy decisions, citing rejected reforms and mismanagement at Kozloduy NPP. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rumen-radev-criticised-over-2026-budget-and-energy-policies ### 2026-07-21: Rumen Radев’s presidency under pressure as Bulgaria leaves the “Coalition of the Willing” President Rumen Radев faces criticism over budget deficits, BSP fatigue, and Bulgaria’s exit from the “Coalition of the Willing,” while the government returns a former DPS headquarters to the tax agency. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rumen-radevs-moves-on-party-headquarters-ignite-political-debate-in-bulgaria ### 2026-07-04: Bulgarian President Rumen Radev faces criticism over unmet reform promises Journalist Lyudmil Iliev says President Rumen Radev has failed to deliver promised radical reforms, citing unchanged party influence, disputed appointments and the Peevski flight controversy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-president-rumen-radev-faces-criticism-over-unmet-reform-promises --- Cite as: Rumen Radev controversy, cabinet trust, election date set. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rumen-radev-controversy-in-bulgaria