Bulgarians vote in presidential runoff between Iliana Iotova and Andrey Gyurov

Bulgarians cast ballots on November 1 in the second round of the presidential election. Incumbent Iliana Iotova, 61, faced former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov, 50. Neither candidate secured a majority in the first round on October 25, when Iotova received 34.76 percent and Gyurov 31.95 percent. Voter turnout in that round stood at 22.98 percent, the lowest in the history of Bulgarian presidential elections.

The presidency is largely ceremonial, but the office carries influence over foreign policy statements and the appointment of caretaker governments. Iotova, who became acting president in January after Rumen Radev resigned to lead a parliamentary list, is backed by the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party and the Bulgarian Socialist Party. A win would make her the first woman elected to the post. Gyurov, an economist and former deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, is supported by pro-Western reformist parties including Continue the Change and Yes, Bulgaria. He served briefly as caretaker prime minister earlier in 2026.

The first-round margin was narrower than most pre-election polls had predicted. Gyurov performed more strongly than expected, particularly among voters abroad, where he led. The runoff is decided by simple majority. Exit polls were due after polls closed at 18:00 GMT, with official results expected on November 2. Both candidates have called for higher participation after the first-round apathy.

Foreign policy differences have featured in the campaign. Both condemned recent drone strikes on merchant ships in the Black Sea, but they diverge on the broader Ukraine war. Iotova and Radev have favoured a diplomatic settlement. Gyurov has expressed clearer support for Ukraine and signed a ten-year cooperation agreement with Kyiv during his caretaker tenure. Bulgaria is a NATO and European Union member on the alliance’s eastern flank. The presidential outcome will signal whether the country continues its current mix of Western alignment and calls for negotiation or shifts toward a more consistently pro-Ukraine stance.

Domestic concerns include economic pressures, energy prices and low trust in political institutions. The record-low first-round turnout has been attributed by observers to widespread political fatigue and scepticism about the ability of either candidate to change day-to-day conditions. Radev, now prime minister, publicly urged voters to support Iotova. Gyurov challenged Iotova to a debate that did not take place before the first round and repeated the invitation ahead of the runoff.

Nearly 6.6 million citizens are eligible to vote. The Central Election Commission oversees the process. Results from the first round were finalised after 100 percent of tally sheets were processed. The runoff requires no minimum turnout. Whichever candidate receives more votes on November 1 will take office. The outcome will also affect the balance between the presidential office and the government led by Radev.

Campaigning focused on stability, foreign orientation and economic competence. Iotova emphasised continuity and experience. Gyurov stressed reform credentials and Western integration. The narrow first-round gap left the result open until the final count. Observers will watch not only the winner but the final turnout figure as an indicator of public engagement with the political system.