Bulgaria’s presidential election is heading to a decisive runoff after interim Iliyana Jotova secured 35.6 percent of the vote in the first round, closely followed by pro-European former Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov with 32.5 percent, according to exit polls released by the polling firm “Mjara” and reported by Bulgarian National Radio.
Candidates Diverge on Ukraine and Western Alignment
The election places voters in front of a stark choice regarding the European Union member state’s foreign policy and security alignment. While both leading contenders have condemned drone attacks against commercial vessels in the Black Sea, they diverge sharply on how to approach the war in Ukraine.
Ilijana Jotova enters the runoff backed by Moscow-friendly Prime Minister Rumen Radev. Meanwhile, Andrey Gyurov represents reform-oriented and pro-Western parties, having briefly served as prime minister earlier this year.
A third major candidate, Kostadin Kostadinov, leads the pro-Moscow “Revival” party and secured at least a tenth of the vote in the initial round. Dobromir Zhivkov, executive director of the research firm MarketLinks, noted to the Associated Press earlier in the week that the rhetoric from parts of the political establishment frequently mirrors Kremlin messaging, particularly regarding calls to halt military aid to Ukraine.
Presidential Powers Influence Voter Expectations
Although the Bulgarian presidency is largely ceremonial, the head of state serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and holds veto power over legislation. A total of 27 candidates appeared on the ballot, with half viewed as holding pro-Kremlin positions.
Voters expressed a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism outside polling stations. “I voted for true changes, for people who are active and work, for people who talk less and do more,” voter Maria told the Associated Press. Another voter, Anton, emphasized the need for an independent executive branch: “I hope that there will be a second round and that there will not be a concentration of power.”
| Candidate | Political Alignment | First-Round Support (Mjara Exit Poll) |
|---|---|---|
| Iliyana Jotova | Interim President / Radev-backed | 35.6% |
| Andrey Gyurov | Pro-European / Reform-oriented | 32.5% |
With no candidate securing the required majority in the initial vote, the final outcome will be decided when Bulgarians return to the polls for the runoff election scheduled for next Sunday, November 1.
