Bulgaria presidential election heads to run-off FAST-MOVING

Bulgarian presidential election Iliana Iotova Andrey Gyurov voter turnout Black Sea security

Bulgaria’s presidential election is proceeding to a second round on November 1 after no candidate secured a majority in the first round held on October 25. Exit polls indicate that incumbent President Iliana Iotova, running with Kiril Valchev, will face former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov and his running mate Georgi Kandev in the run-off.

Preliminary results from various polling agencies, including Trend, Myara, and Alpha Research, place Iotova between 32.2% and 36.5% of the vote, while Gyurov follows closely with approximately 31% to 33.5%. Kostadin Kostadinov placed third, receiving between 12.3% and 15.7% of the vote.

The election was marked by a significantly low voter turnout, estimated by exit polls to be around 22.2%. Key campaign issues included rising energy costs, inflation, and security concerns following drone strikes on ships in the Black Sea. Iotova campaigned on a platform of peace and stability, advocating for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine, while Gyurov emphasized a pro-European future and cooperation with NATO.

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev reported that the election took place peacefully without evidence of organized vote-buying. However, the Ministry of Interior received 242 signals regarding various violations, leading to the opening of six pre-trial proceedings.

Entities

Andrei Gyurov · Andrey Gyurov · Bulgaria · Central Election Commission · Central Electoral Commission · Georgi Kandev · Iliana Iotova · Iliana Yotova · Kiril Valchev · Kostadin Kostadinov · Ministry of Interior · Plovdiv

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea left 21 people missing. odia.ig.com.br
[● 12 SOURCES] Bulgaria is holding elections for president and vice president on October 25, 2026. odia.ig.com.br · de.euronews.com · www.euronews.com · www.moreto.net · www.zname.info · +2 more
[DISPUTED] Iliana Iotova is the favorite to remain in office with 41% to 47% of the vote projected. odia.ig.com.br · de.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Andrei Gyurov has between 28% and 31% support in polls. odia.ig.com.br · de.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] There are 613 polling stations for Bulgarians living abroad.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Voter turnout in Istanbul was reported as extremely low.
[● 4 SOURCES] Rumen Radev stepped down from the presidency to run for Prime Minister. odia.ig.com.br · www.euronews.com · de.euronews.com · tr.euronews.com
[● 9 SOURCES] Kostadin Kostadinov is in third place with 10% to 13% in polls. de.euronews.com · www.euronews.com · www.moreto.net · www.zname.info · tr.euronews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Kardzhali had the lowest turnout at 6.77%.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Turnout in 2021 at the same time was 24.12%.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Voter turnout in Veliko Tarnovo region was 16.96% by 4:00 PM. www.regnews.net
[● 2 SOURCES] National voter turnout was 16.04% by 4:00 PM.