Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
Bulgarians vote in presidential runoff between Iliana Yotova and Andrey Gyurov
Bulgarians voted in a presidential runoff on Sunday, with incumbent Iliana Yotova facing former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov.
The runoff was needed because neither candidate won a majority in the first round, which included 27 candidates.
Yotova led with 34.76% of the vote, while Gyurov received 31.95%.
The president's role is largely ceremonial, but the result could shape Bulgaria's foreign policy: Yotova is associated with a more cautious approach, while Gyurov supports closer ties with Western partners and stronger backing for Ukraine.
The vote took place as drone attacks hit ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, raising concern about the war in Ukraine spreading further and prompting the government to seek allied help with maritime security.
Results were expected after the ballots were counted, with exit polls due after voting ended.
Bulgarians voted on November 1 in a presidential runoff between incumbent Iliana Iotova and former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov.
The runoff was needed because neither candidate won an outright majority in the first round.
Iotova led the first round with 34.76% of the vote, while Gyurov received 31.95%, according to cash.ch.
The contest is also a test for the governing Progressive Bulgaria party, which supports Iotova.
The candidates differ in their expected foreign-policy approach, particularly on Russia and support for Ukraine.
- Who
- Incumbent president Iliana Iotova and former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov.
- What
- They are competing in a presidential runoff.
- When
- November 1, 2026. Voting was scheduled to end at 8 p.m. local time.
- Where
- Bulgaria.
- Why
- Neither candidate won an outright majority in the first round.
Iliana Iotova
Andrey Gyurov
Foreign policy
Iliana Iotova
Iotova has advocated a negotiated peace for Ukraine involving talks with Russia.
Andrey Gyurov
Gyurov is described as pro-Western and is expected to support closer ties with Western partners and stronger backing for Ukraine.
Political support
Iliana Iotova
Iotova is backed by the governing Progressive Bulgaria party and the Socialists; pro-Russian nationalists also supported her in the runoff.
Andrey Gyurov
Gyurov is backed by reformist parties and has support from right-leaning political figures.
In the first round, Iotova received 34.76% and Gyurov received 31.95%, so neither secured an outright majority.
Bulgarians voted in a runoff to elect their president.
Turnout was reported at 9.6%, one percentage point above the level at the same time in the first round.
Exit polls were expected, while an official result was likely on Monday as ballots were counted.
- First-round candidates
- 27
- Iotova's first-round vote
- 34.76%
- Gyurov's first-round vote
- 31.95%
- Eligible voters
- About 6.5 million
- Poll closing time
- 8 p.m. local time
5 sources
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What people are saying
I voted for Bulgaria to be a strong state in a strong Europe, but also to have its own foreign policy and backbone when it must defend what matters most — the national interest.
Today I voted for a secure, stable and European Bulgaria.
Let us choose the future, and not the past.
benefits the Russian Federation