Bulgaria votes in a presidential runoff

Bulgarians are voting Sunday in a presidential runoff between acting President Iliana Iotova (AP spells it Yotova), backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev's party, and former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, backed by pro-Western reformist parties. Iotova led the Oct. 25 first round, which had record-low turnout. Polls close at 8 p.m. local time (noon Central), and official results are expected Monday. If Iotova wins, she would be Bulgaria's first elected female president.

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Why it matters

The two candidates differ on how closely to back Ukraine and on relations with Russia. The vote comes as drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast in the past month have left about two dozen seafarers feared dead.

What to watch

Polls close at 8 p.m. local time (noon Central) on Sunday, November 1, with exit polls after that; official results are expected Monday, November 2.

How each side sees it

Iotova saysPeace between Ukraine and Russia "could come only through negotiations," and she has proposed a meeting of the six Black Sea countries to sign a moratorium on hostilities.

Gyurov saysHe has long backed Ukraine, wants Bulgaria to be a reliable NATO ally, and says that without a seat at the table, Bulgaria is "on the menu."

Sources

Checked against 2 established news sources:

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Published Sunday, November 1, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.