Rumen Radev did what Boyko Borisov couldn't prevent - he took parliament with 44.48% of the vote. His coalition Progressive Bulgaria won a convincing victory in the snap parliamentary elections, leaving behind both Continuing the Change - Democratic Bulgaria at 14% and Borisov's GERB-SDS at a modest 13.1%.

Brussels reacted with its usual mix of concern and helplessness. Analysts immediately pulled out the new Orban label - the same one they slap on every Eastern European leader who won't kneel at the first call. Radev advocates preserving energy ties with Russia via TurkStream, threatens to veto sanctions against Russia's nuclear sector, and is in no hurry to adopt the euro. Enough reasons for Brussels to put him on the problematic list.

So what does this mean for Macedonia?

Directly and concretely: Bulgaria's veto stays. Radev insists on constitutional reforms and recognition of a Bulgarian minority as conditions for Macedonia's European integration. With this victory, the Bulgarian blockade doesn't just remain - it gains fresh democratic legitimacy. Who in Skopje still believes the road to the EU runs through Sofia without serious concessions?

Radev is no accidental player. A former major general and commander of Bulgaria's air force, trained at America's Maxwell Air Base, who personally piloted Soviet MiGs at airshows. First elected president in 2016 with socialist backing, re-elected in 2021. A man who knows both the Eastern and Western blocs - and clearly has no intention of choosing just one.