Rumen Radev is Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria.
He was born on 18 June 1963 in Dimitrovgrad. He graduated from the High School of Mathematics in Haskovo with a gold medal in 1982. Rumen Radev took his University Degree at the Air Force Academy in Dolna Mitropolia as the top graduate.
In 1992 he successfully completed the Air Force Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, USA. From 1994 to 1996 Rumen Radev attended the Command and Staff College – G.S.Rakovski National Defence Academy, Bulgaria, and graduated as the top graduate.
In 2000 Rumen Radev was awarded PhD in Military Science, majoring in ‘Enhancing the Tactical Training of Aircrews and Air Combat Simulations’.
In 2003 Rumen Radev completed the Air War College, Maxwell AFB, USA, as a distinguished graduate and took Master’s Degree in ‘Strategic Studies’. His name is written on the Glory Alley of the Air War College.
Rumen Radev is a First Class pilot with more than 1400 flight hours. He is a MiG-29 Instructor and Demo-pilot and was promoted a Major General. During 2014-2016 Rumen Radev was Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force.
At the presidential elections held in November 2016, he was elected President of the Republic of Bulgaria with Iliana Iotova as Vice President. He was sworn in at the National Assembly on January 19, 2017, and on January 22, 2017, he took office for a five-year term.
In November 2021, Rumen Radev was re-elected for a second term as President of the Republic of Bulgaria with Iliana Iotova as Vice President.
On January 19, 2026, in an address to the people of Bulgaria, he announced his resignation as Head of State. By a decision of the Constitutional Court on January 23, 2025, his powers were terminated and Vice President Iliana Iotova took office as president.
Rumen Radev founded the Progressive Bulgaria coalition and won an absolute majority in the parliamentary elections on April 19, 2026. On June 8, Rumen Radev was elected by the National Assembly as Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria.
