Bulgaria Votes in Presidential Runoff as Iotova Faces Gyurov

Bulgaria held the second round of its presidential election on November 1 [1]. The race for head of state is between incumbent President Iliana Iotova and pro-Western opposition candidate Andrey Gyurov [1]. Polling stations opened at 7:00 and were set to remain open until 20:00 [1]. Polling could run until 21:00 if voters were still queuing when voting was due to end [1].

The runoff followed an inconclusive first round on October 25 [1][2]. Iotova won about 35 percent of the vote in that round, while Gyurov took about 32 percent [1]. Neither candidate reached the 50 percent threshold needed for an outright win [2]. The first round featured 27 candidate pairs [2].

Key facts

Turnout in the first round was just 23 percent, a record low [1]. Iotova is 62 years old [1]. She is a former journalist and a former Member of the European Parliament [1]. She was elected vice-president alongside Rumen Radev in 2016 and in 2021 [1]. She took over as head of state this year after Radev resigned [1]. Gyurov is 50 years old [1]. He previously served as acting prime minister [1]. He was also deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank [1]. A win for Iotova would make her Bulgaria's first elected female president [2].

The two candidates differ sharply on the war in Ukraine [1][2]. Iotova backs Bulgaria's place in the EU and NATO [1]. She also backs talks with Russia [1]. She opposes giving military aid to Ukraine [1]. Gyurov wants closer ties with the West [1]. He supports Ukraine [1]. In a TV debate before the runoff, Gyurov faulted Iotova for not directly blaming Russia for attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea [1]. Gyurov signed a security deal with Kyiv when he was premier [2].

Context

Drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast came before the first round [2]. Those attacks likely killed some two dozen sailors from other nations [2]. Both top candidates condemned the strikes [2]. They still differ over the wider war [2]. Bulgaria has stopped short of directly blaming Russia for the attacks [2]. Rumen Radev said their outcome helps the Russian Federation [2]. The strikes drew wide condemnation abroad [2]. They also raised fears that the war in Ukraine was spreading [2]. The government sought allied help to guard ships at sea [2].

The campaign also focused on growing economic hardship [3]. Candidates sought to ease public worry over rising energy prices and inflation [3]. Many families, above all in rural areas, struggle to make ends meet [3]. Iotova said she backed peace through talks, rather than force [3]. Gyurov told supporters he wanted Bulgaria to have a voice of its own in Europe [3]. He spoke of a trusted NATO ally that guards its interests with readiness, strong talks and a clear stance [3].

What happens next

The winner needs a majority of votes in the runoff [3]. Presidents in Bulgaria are elected directly for a five-year term [3]. They can serve no more than two terms [3]. The post is largely ceremonial [3]. The direct vote still gives the president more political weight [3]. The president leads the armed forces [3]. The president can veto laws, sign treaties and name ambassadors [3]. The count follows the close of polls [1]. The result will show if Iotova wins a full term or if Gyurov takes the presidency [1][3].

Verified: 2026-11-01

Disclosure: This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor. Facts reflect sources available on the verified date; developing stories may have new details — check the cited sources for updates.

Sources: LB.ua | The Straits Times | AAP