Bulgaria’s acting President Iotova leads in run-off exit polls

Exit polls indicate that Bulgarian acting President Ilijana Yotova is leading the runoff election. The polls suggest she may secure over 52% of the vote, making her Bulgaria's first elected female head of state. Yotova, representing the ruling centre-left party Progressive Bulgaria, has advocated for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict through negotiations with Russia, positioning herself as a "President of Peace."

Her opponent, Andrey Gyurov, the former interim Prime Minister, is trailing with approximately 45% support. Gyurov, backed by pro-Western opposition parties, has called for stronger ties with Western partners and increased support for Ukraine amid Russia's aggressive war. Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who stepped down to run for parliament, endorsed Yotova, marking a challenge to the Moscow-friendly Progressive Bulgaria party.

The election, overshadowed by Ukraine's conflict, took place in Bulgaria's Black Sea economic zone, where drone attacks on merchant ships have intensified. While Bulgaria's presidency is largely ceremonial, the direct election grants the president greater political authority, including leading the armed forces and signing international treaties. Presidents in Bulgaria are elected for a five-year term with a two-term limit.