Bulgaria's Incumbent President Iliana Yotova, Seen as More Russia-Friendly, Wins Presidential Runoff

Incumbent President Iliana Yotova has won the second round of Bulgaria's presidential election held on Sunday, according to exit polls. She is backed by the ruling party Progressive Bulgaria, which holds pro-Russian and Eurosceptic positions. The result suggests the governing party retains its influence after its parliamentary election victory in April. Her rival was Andrey Gyurov, supported by pro-Western opposition parties.

Poll results

Three exit polls conducted outside polling stations gave Yotova between 50.7% and 52.5% of the vote, and Gyurov between 43.4% and 44%. In the first round a week earlier, which featured 27 candidates, Yotova received 34.76% and Gyurov 31.95%.

The candidates

Yotova, 62, supports Bulgaria's membership of the European Union and NATO, but is critical of providing military and financial aid to Ukraine and favours talks with Russia. She is a former journalist and member of the European Parliament. In 2016 and 2021 she was elected vice president, running alongside Rumen Radev, who was elected president. In January this year she took over the presidency when Radev stepped down to run in parliamentary elections, after which he became prime minister. Radev leads the Progressive Bulgaria party.

Gyurov, 50, is a former deputy governor of Bulgaria's central bank and a firm supporter of the country's Euro-Atlantic ties.

Campaign themes and presidential powers

The campaign was dominated by economic issues, including inflation and rising energy prices, as well as Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine and its consequences, such as drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea. The vote was the first serious test for Radev's party since its victory in the April parliamentary election.

The Bulgarian presidency is largely ceremonial. However, the president selects several senior security and judicial officials and may appoint a caretaker technocratic government if political forces cannot agree on forming a cabinet. The term of office is five years, and no one may serve more than two consecutive terms.