Bulgarian voters have headed to the polls for presidential elections, resulting in a run-off between incumbent leftist president Iliana Yotova and former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov. The second round of voting is scheduled for next week after low voter turnout in the first round triggered the necessity for a run-off.
The election has highlighted clear divisions regarding Bulgaria's future international relationships. Gyurov, a pro-Western reformist, faces Yotova, who may deliver an ally for the country's prime minister who opposes military support for Ukraine. The vote for the largely ceremonial post is also seen as a test of popularity for Prime Minister Rumen Radev.
The campaign has been centered on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its spread to the waters off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Both candidates have condemned recent deadly drone strikes on commercial vessels in the region, though they differ more broadly on the war in Ukraine and Sofia's relations with the Kremlin.
In addition to security concerns, the electorate is facing growing economic hardships. The campaign has focused on rising energy prices and inflation as Bulgarians navigate these domestic challenges alongside the regional instability of the Black Sea.