Bulgarians voted on Sunday, 1 November, in the presidential runoff between incumbent Iliana Iotova and former caretaker premier Andrey Gyurov, News.ro reported citing AFP. The candidates diverge sharply on Russia and support for Ukraine.

In the first round Iotova took about 35% and Gyurov 32%, below polls that had given her a wider lead. Analyst Teodor Slavev said she paid for “unconvincing answers” to Black Sea threats after drone attacks on commercial ships left dozens missing in October, including off Bulgaria’s coast.

Iotova, backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, favours a ceasefire and talks and criticises pouring more arms into Ukraine. Gyurov, backed by the pro-Western opposition, says Russia must end its aggression and faults Iotova for not naming Moscow directly as the source of the threats. Turnout was historically low in the first round (about 23%) and remained weak in the decisive vote.

Iotova, a former MEP and vice-president alongside Radev, succeeded him in January after his resignation; a win would make her Bulgaria’s first elected woman president. Gyurov cast his ballot in Blagoevgrad, calling for a “safe, stable and European Bulgaria.”

Exit polls after polls closed (BNR, AP) put Iotova around 51–52% and Gyurov about 43–45%; the official result still awaits the electoral commission. This report does not replace the final tally.

Source: Tight Iotova–Gyurov duel in Bulgaria’s presidential runoff (News.ro); exit-poll confirmation: Exit polls suggest Yotova wins runoff (AP)