Bulgaria votes in presidential runoff pitting pro-Moscow incumbent against pro-West challenger

Bulgarians cast ballots Sunday in a presidential runoff that has turned on the country's stance toward Russia and Ukraine, with incumbent Iliana Yotova facing former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov.

Yotova won last Sunday's first round with 34.76% of the vote, less than three percentage points ahead of Gyurov, who took 31.95%. Turnout in that round fell to a historic low.

Yotova has presented herself as a "president of peace," favouring dialogue with Moscow and arguing that continued aid to Ukraine "leads only to more destruction and the deaths of many people on both sides." In a TV debate before the runoff, Gyurov accused Yotova of avoiding direct criticism of Russia over the Black Sea attacks, stating that "Russia must stop its aggression" so that next steps can be taken, and calling for naming the country from which the threats are coming. He has repeatedly voiced strong support for Ukraine and signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv during his premiership.

The war in Ukraine has become a central campaign issue amid growing security concerns in the Black Sea, which borders Bulgaria, following a rise in drone attacks targeting commercial vessels.

Although Bulgaria's presidency carries largely ceremonial powers, the president can appoint interim governments during political crises, serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and veto legislation — powers that take on added weight during the country's recurring parliamentary instability.

If elected, Yotova is expected to pursue closer ties with Russia and advocate lifting sanctions, in an approach similar to that of Prime Minister Rumen Radev, keeping Bulgaria on its European path while seeking warmer relations with Moscow. Gyurov previously served as deputy governor of Bulgaria's central bank before leading the country as caretaker prime minister in early 2023. After the first round, Gyurov said Bulgaria faced a choice "between two personalities, two directions, and two ways of exercising presidential powers."