Rumen Sabev Radev

Public record

Compiled from publications and official records as of 23.10.2026. Every statement links to its source; claims made by others are marked as such, with who makes them. Quotations in English are our translation.

Corruption and scandals

• ITN: conflict of interest over the bLion project. In the no-confidence debate on energy on 12 Oct 2023, ITN MP Pavela Mitova, a political opponent, demanded the minister's resignation over the bLion project worth close to 30 bn leva on the land of the Maritsa-Iztok mines. The minister replied that bLion is a concept, not a project, and that no public resources are sought, "not a single Bulgarian lev" (our translation). Later, to journalists, Mitova called him the project's main promoter and said that in her view this is a conflict of interest, though she had no idea whether there were signs of a crime. Sega writes that behind Blion stands not him personally but the Association of Industrial Capital, of which he was deputy chairman. No investigation or finding has been reported. — Zashtoto.com, 12 Oct 2023, Sega, 12 Oct 2023
• ITN: list of 13 companies linked to people close to the minister. In January 2024 ITN, a political opponent, presented an extract from an indicative list of 13 companies, including Metalik, Brikel, Monbat and Overgas, which Mitova said would receive energy funding; the party said the winners were close to PP and that the minister would hand out money "to his pals from his previous job" (our translation). The Energy Ministry replied that the list was indicative and guaranteed no advantages. The Regional Development Ministry said no procedures had been announced and no money had been paid in advance. No investigation has been reported. — Trud, 19 Jan 2024