Bulgaria presidential election goes to 1 November runoff between Yotova and Gyurov

Mixed · 2Bulgaria's presidential election will go to a second round on 1 November because no candidate won more than 50% of the vote. 1 2 Mixed · 2The runoff pits incumbent President Iliana Yotova against former prime minister Andrey Gyurov. Al Jazeera spells her name Iotova. 1 2 Mixed · 2Results are unofficial. Alpha Research, released by Bulgarian National Television, gave Yotova (with running mate Kiril Valchev) 34.6% and Gyurov (with running mate Georgi Kandev) 32.7%. Another agency, named as Myara by Anadolu and Measure by Al Jazeera, put Yotova at 35% and Gyurov at 31.9%. Al Jazeera, citing exit polls, gave ranges of 35–36.5% for Yotova and 31–33.5% for Gyurov. 1 2

Mixed · 2Turnout was low, reported at 22.2% (Al Jazeera says as of 8pm local time). Al Jazeera notes a first-round win needed turnout above 50% of registered voters and more than 50% of votes, so a runoff was expected. Twenty-seven candidates ran. 2 1 Left · 1Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said the vote took place peacefully, without the usual vote buying and manipulation, according to Bulgarian National Television as reported by Al Jazeera. 2 Left · 1Yotova, who became president in January after serving as vice president, ran as an independent backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria and the Socialist Party. Al Jazeera says she is expected to keep Bulgaria in line with Europe while seeking better relations with Russia. Gyurov has the support of the pro-Western opposition and signed a security cooperation agreement with Ukraine as prime minister. 2

Mixed · 2Yotova voiced concern about the low turnout, saying "Thinking that we can change anything in the country without voting is an illusion", and said Bulgaria needed stable governance rather than alliances between parties. She also named poverty and inequality as priorities. 1 2 Mixed · 2Gyurov invited Yotova to a public debate before the runoff, saying Bulgaria must choose between "two personalities, two directions" and needed an active president who united citizens. 1 2 Left · 1Al Jazeera lists rising energy costs, inflation, Black Sea attacks and the war in Ukraine as the main campaign issues, with drone strikes on ships off Bulgaria's coast, condemned by both candidates, dominating headlines. It notes the presidency is largely ceremonial, though the president leads the armed forces, can veto legislation and sign treaties. 2