# Bulgarian 2026 presidential race

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-2026-presidential-race
> Updated: 2026-07-31T20:46:39.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 5.

The race for Bulgaria’s 2026 presidency continues to centre on a small field of candidates and shifting party endorsements. Incumbent President Iliana Jotova remains the frontrunner in recent Global Metric polling, with roughly half of respondents indicating probable or definite support. Andrey Gyurov trails at about 23 %, followed by Daniel Valčev (18 %) and Ivan Hristov (12 %). The centrist “Yes Bulgaria” party has reshuffled its regional leadership in Plovdiv, while President Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria coalition backs Ilya Yotov. The Continue the Change party, represented by Deputy Speaker Stoyu Stoev, has signalled it will endorse Gyurov once he declares his candidacy.

In late July, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) chairman Krum Zarkov announced that the party’s executive bureau and numerous BSP organisations have spontaneously endorsed Iliyana Yotov as a presidential candidate, adding BSP support to her campaign. Zarkov praised Yotov’s experience and said the endorsement will help form a campaign committee and select a vice‑presidential partner. He also criticised the 2026 emergency state budget, particularly the removal of minimum‑wage provisions, and urged the Progressive Bulgaria coalition to address the issue. Zarkov noted that the BSP will operate as an extra‑parliamentary party this year, viewing the situation as a new opportunity.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: BSP leader Krum Zarkov backs Iliyana Yotov for Bulgarian presidency

BSP chairman Krum Zarkov announced spontaneous BSP support for Iliyana Yotov’s presidential bid, criticized the 2026 budget and the removal of minimum‑wage provisions, and discussed the party’s disputed Positno

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bsp-leader-krum-zarkov-backs-iliyana-yotov-for-bulgarian-presidency

### 2026-07-30: Bulgarian President Iliana Jotova Leads Pre‑Election Poll

Incumbent President Iliana Jotova leads Bulgaria's presidential election poll with about 50% support, outpacing rivals Andrej Gurov, Daniel Valčev and Ivan Hristov, and enjoys wide cross‑party backing.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-president-iliana-jotova-leads-preelection-poll

### 2026-07-28: Rumen Radev backs Ilya Yotova for Bulgaria's 2026 presidential election

President Rumen Radev pledged support for Ilya Yotova’s 2026 presidential bid, while Vice‑Premier Ivo Hristov hinted at a vice‑presidential candidate and praised the newly passed 2026 budget.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rumen-radev-backs-ilya-yotova-for-bulgarias-2026-presidential-election

### 2026-07-28: Bulgaria's Continue the Change Party Signals Support for Potential Presidential Candidate Andrey Gyurov

Continue the Change party says it will support Andrey Gyurov if he runs for Bulgaria's presidency, while Constitutional Court Chair Pavlina Panova says a re‑elected Ilya Yotov would start a first term and the ‑

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarias-continue-the-change-party-signals-support-for-potential-presidential-candidate-andrey-gyur

### 2026-07-25: Yes Bulgaria Party Picks New Plovdiv Chair as Leaders Weigh Iliana Yotova Presidential Bid

Yes Bulgaria’s deputy chair warned that Iliana Yotova’s possible presidency would be a third term for Rumen Radev, while the party elected Dr. Borislav Mateev as new Plovdiv chair, outlining city‑wide priority‑

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yes-bulgaria-party-picks-new-plovdiv-chair-as-leaders-weigh-iliana-yotova-presidential-bid

---
Cite as: Bulgarian 2026 presidential race. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-2026-presidential-race