European Council President Antonio Costa publicly congratulated Rumen Radev on his election victory, becoming one of the first senior EU officials to react to the outcome of Bulgaria's parliamentary vote.
In a message posted on X, Costa addressed Radev directly, acknowledging what he described as an ?outright victory? in the legislative elections and welcoming his return to the European Council.
?Congratulations to Rumen Radev on your outright victory in yesterday's legislative elections in Bulgaria,? Costa wrote. He added that it would be ?a pleasure? to welcome him back to the European Council and confirmed that the two had already spoken by phone earlier in the day.
According to Costa, the conversation focused on future cooperation within the European Union and the common priorities facing the bloc. ?I look forward to working together with you in the #EUCO on our shared agenda for a prosperous, autonomous and secure Europe,? he stated.
He also wished Radev success in what he called his ?new function,? underlining expectations for continued collaboration on key European issues.
The message came shortly after the European Commission took a more cautious position. Earlier in the day, an EC spokesperson declined to comment on the election outcome in Bulgaria, saying Brussels would wait until the final official results were announced before making a formal statement.
