Historic-low turnout as Bulgarians vote in highly polarized presidential runoff overshadowed by Ukraine war

A close first-round contest

The November 1 runoff followed a tight first round last weekend. Yotova took 34.76% of the vote, less than three percentage points ahead of Gyurov, who received 31.95%.

Turnout in the first round fell to a historic low. The candidates now offer voters competing visions of Bulgaria’s foreign policy and the role of the presidency.

War shapes the campaign

The war in Ukraine has become a central election issue as security concerns grow in the Black Sea, which borders Bulgaria. The article links those concerns to a rise in drone attacks targeting commercial vessels.

Yotova has described herself as a “president of peace” who supports dialogue with Moscow. She opposes military aid to Ukraine and says continued assistance causes more destruction and deaths on both sides.

Presidential powers and records

Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, its holder can appoint interim governments during political crises, serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and veto legislation. Gyurov, backed by the pro-Western opposition, previously served as deputy governor of Bulgaria’s central bank and as caretaker prime minister, leading the country in early 2026. During his premiership, he signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv and voiced strong support for Ukraine. After the first round, he described the contest as a choice between two people, directions and ways of using presidential powers.