In brief: Bulgarians headed to the polls on Sunday, Nov. 1, in a tight presidential runoff election between incumbent Acting President Iliana Iotova and pro-Western former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov. In the Oct. 25 first round, Iotova garnered 34.76 percent of the vote against 31.95 percent for Gyurov amid a record-low turnout of 22.98 percent. The campaign has centered on Bulgaria’s geopolitical posture toward Russia and Ukraine, as well as escalating maritime security concerns following drone strikes on merchant shipping off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, including the Oct. 28 sinking of a hazardous-cargo container vessel near Shabla.
Bulgarians went to the polls Sunday in a closely contested presidential runoff between acting President Iliana Yotova and pro-Western former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, with relations with Russia and security in the Black Sea dominating the campaign.
Yotova led the October 25 first round with 34.8% of votes, against 32% for Gyurov. Turnout was a record-low 22.98%, according to Bulgaria’s Central Election Commission.
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Yotova, backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s governing party, favors improved ties with Moscow and a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine.
Gyurov, supported by reformist opposition parties, has advocated closer cooperation with Kyiv and Western allies.
The vote follows drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, which have raised concerns over maritime security. The president can veto parliamentary legislation.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. local time and close at 8 p.m. Exit polls are expected afterward, with official results due Monday.
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