Sofia, BulgariaAP —
Bulgaria’s presidential election on Sunday ended inconclusively, with a run-off to choose the next head of state, election officials said.
Observers believe the record low turnout is due to a general distrust of politicians leading to voter apathy, with two contrasting political visions likely to be pitted against each other in a highly polarized election campaign on November 1.
In a surprisingly strong performance, pro-Western reformist opposition candidate Andrei Gurov will face incumbent left-wing president Iliana Yotova, drawing a clear line on the country’s future relations with other countries.
Bulgarians voted against a backdrop of growing economic hardship and drone attacks on Black Sea shipping. The vote will be the first major test for Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s pro-Moscow Bulgarian Progressive Party since its victory in parliamentary elections in April.
Despite a record number of candidates, the race was expected to be decided in a run-off between incumbent Yotova, backed by Radev’s party, and former caretaker prime minister Gurov, backed by pro-Western opposition parties.
The campaign focuses on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing hostilities in the Black Sea, where recent drone attacks on commercial ships off the coast of Bulgaria have heightened security concerns for European Union and NATO members.
The airstrike raised concerns about Russia’s intentions to escalate the conflict and prompted the government to request help from Bulgaria’s partners to strengthen maritime security.
Candidates also sought to address public concerns about rising energy prices and inflation, especially as many households in rural areas struggle to make ends meet.
The election was expected to proceed to a runoff, as none of the 27 candidates were expected to win outright. Voter turnout must be at least 50% of the 6.6 million registered voters, and the winner must receive a majority of the votes.
Jotoba, a 62-year-old journalist and former member of the European Parliament, is the country’s current president and the front-runner in the election.
She previously served as vice president during Mr. Radev’s two terms as head of state. She took over the presidency in January 2026, when Radev resigned to run for parliament, and is currently exploring her role.
She is running as an independent, but also has official support from Progressive Bulgaria and the Socialist Party, where her career began.
If Yotova wins, she will become Bulgaria’s first female president.
Analysts expect him to continue Mr. Radev’s policy of keeping Bulgaria on a European path, while also calling for improved relations with Russia and the lifting of sanctions. Both Yotova and Radev are calling for a diplomatic solution to end the war in Ukraine.
Addressing supporters at a rally this week, Yotoba said he advocated “peace through negotiation, not force.”
Officials say Mr. Yotoba’s victory would put the presidency in majority hands, and such a concentration of power could impede institutions that maintain effective checks and balances on policy-making.
Former central bank deputy governor becomes main challenger in election campaign
Yotova’s main challenger is economist Andrei Gurov. He is a former deputy governor of the central bank and interim prime minister who led the country in early 2026. He is supported by the pro-Western and reformist opposition parties.
Mr. Gurov has frequently expressed his firm support for Ukraine, and signed a security cooperation agreement with Kiev while he was prime minister.
“I want Bulgaria to have its own voice in Europe, a reliable NATO ally that will protect its interests through preparedness, strong diplomacy and a clear position,” he told supporters this week.
The latest poll shows that Yotoba has a 40-45% lead in the first round, while Gurov has a 25-30% lead, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points, giving Yotoba an advantage.
But some observers believe Mr Gurov may have an advantage in the run-off, where the outcome could be influenced by voters who backed candidates who lost in the first round.
The Bulgarian president is directly elected for a five-year term and cannot serve more than two terms. Although the post is largely ceremonial, direct election gives the president greater political powers. The president can command the military, veto legislation, sign international treaties, and appoint ambassadors.
