Radev, 53, ran with the support of the opposition Socialist Party and defeated the rival backed by the then governing conservative GERB party in a Nov. 13,2016  election run-off.

He replaced GERB’s Rosen Plevenliev, who declined to seek re-election.

Radev’s triumph triggered the fall of the government, with no new coalition emerging, Bulgaria is heading to early elections.

A former air force general, Radev is seen as far more friendly toward Russia as his strongly pro-Western predecessor.

Report says Bulgaria is a part of both NATO and the European Union.