France, April 19 -- The European Union's poorest member has been through successive governments since 2021, when anti-graft rallies ended the conservative administration of long-time leader Boyko Borissov.

Radev, who has called for renewing ties with Russia and opposes military aid to Ukraine, was president for nine years in the Balkan nation of 6.5 million people.

He stepped down in January and now leads the new centre-left Progressive Bulgaria group of parties. Opinion polls before the election suggested his coalition could gain 35 percent of votes for the 240-seat parliament.

The former air force general, 62, has said he wants to rid the country of its "oligarchic governance model". He backed new anti-corruption protests last year t...