Bulgaria election heads to a run-off amid low voter turnout | News
Bulgaria’s Presidential Election Heads to Runoff
Bulgaria is set for a presidential runoff next week as no candidate secured the necessary votes to win outright in the first round of the election held on Sunday. Incumbent President Iliana Yotova received between 35 and 36.5 percent of the vote, while former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov garnered between 31 and 33.5 percent, according to exit polls.
The runoff will take place on November 1, following a vote that saw a low turnout of approximately 22.2 percent as of 8 p.m. local time. To win in the first round, a candidate must exceed 50 percent of the votes and voter turnout must surpass 50 percent of registered voters.
Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev reported that the elections were conducted peacefully, without the irregularities often associated with electoral processes, such as vote buying and manipulation.
The election featured 27 candidates amid significant national concerns, including rising energy costs, inflation, and escalating tensions related to Russia’s war in Ukraine and recent drone attacks in the Black Sea.
Yotova, a former journalist and member of the European Parliament, was elected president after serving as vice president. She is supported by Prime Minister Rumen Radev and campaigns as an independent, backed by the Progressive Bulgaria and Socialist parties. Should she win the runoff, analysts expect her to maintain Bulgaria’s alignment with European policies while advocating for improved relations with Russia. After voting, Yotova emphasized the need to address poverty and regional inequalities in Bulgaria.
Gyurov, who has the backing of Bulgaria’s pro-Western opposition, previously signed a security cooperation agreement with Ukraine during his tenure as prime minister. He called for a forward-looking Bulgaria that embodies European values and pride. Gyurov challenged Yotova to a debate ahead of the runoff, stating, “Next week, Bulgaria must choose between two personalities, two directions.”
The role of the Bulgarian president, while largely ceremonial, includes leadership of the armed forces, the ability to veto legislation, and the power to sign treaties.
