Key facts
- Bulgaria will hold a presidential runoff on November 1.
- Incumbent Iliana Iotova secured 34.6% of the vote.
- Ex-caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov secured 32% of the vote.
Bulgaria heads to presidential runoff after low turnout
IN SHORT
Bulgaria will hold a presidential runoff on November 1 after incumbent Iliana Iotova and ex-caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov failed to secure a majority in Sunday's election. The vote saw record-low participation amid heightened tensions from drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea.
Key Numbers
34.6%Iliana Iotova's vote share
32%Andrey Gyurov's vote share
22%Voter turnout
November 1Date of runoff election
Who's Involved
Iliana Iotova
incumbent presidential candidate, former vice president
Andrey Gyurov
ex-caretaker prime minister
Rumen Radev
Prime Minister
↳ Why This Matters
The outcome of the presidential election and the candidates' differing stances on the war in Ukraine and regional security could influence Bulgaria's foreign policy and its role within NATO and the EU.