Milan, April 20 (LaPresse) – In Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, a former president critical of the EU and seen as holding pro-Russian positions, has won the elections held on Sunday, the eighth in five years. With 92% of the votes counted, his party, Progressive Bulgaria (PB), secured a majority of around 130 seats in the 240-seat parliament, obtaining about 44.7% of the vote. Radev’s party defeated the liberal coalition PP-DB and GERB, the party of former prime minister Boyko Borisov. In his first speech on Sunday evening, Radev said he is seeking coalition partners. The BBC recalls that the elections were called after the previous government in December attempted to pass a controversial budget, triggering massive protests that Radev, in his role as president, supported. “People have rejected the complacency and arrogance of the old parties and have not fallen prey to lies and manipulation. I thank them for their trust,” Radev said in his victory speech, pledging to build “a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe.” Radev, 62, opposes Bulgarian military support to Ukraine.