Bulgarians voted Sunday in a presidential runoff to elect a president for the largely ceremonial role. The vote follows a first round that failed to produce an outright winner and was marked by record-low turnout.
The runoff features two candidates with sharply contrasting views on the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia. Incumbent President Iliana Iotova, who favors dialogue with Moscow, faces Andrey Gyurov, a former caretaker prime minister backed by the pro-Western opposition.
The election serves as a test of support for the government, which has sought friendly ties with Moscow and denied military aid for Ukraine.
The vote occurs amid economic challenges and regional security threats, including a series of drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast over the past month.