Bulgarians are voting Sunday in a presidential election that tests support for Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s Ukraine stance, with a win for incumbent Iliana Iotova potentially strengthening his position, Deutsche Welle reported.
The outlet cited surveys putting Iotova between 41% and 47%. Her main challenger, Andrey Gyurov, was polling at 28% to 31%, while Kostadin Kostadinov of Vazrazhdane was at 10% to 13%, DW said.
Iotova, 62, took over the presidency this year after Radev left the post to run in parliamentary elections that brought him to power as prime minister. She opposes military aid to Kyiv and favors dialogue with Moscow. Gyurov, 50, a former caretaker prime minister backed by the pro-Western opposition, has criticized Radev’s foreign policy and supports Bulgaria’s links with the European Union and NATO. DW said 27 presidential and vice presidential pairs are competing, with nearly half openly pro-Kremlin.
The presidency has a limited role in routine government but can shape the response to political crises. The president may appoint an interim government, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and can veto legislation, DW reported.
Maritime security has also entered the campaign. DW connected the debate to reports of drone strikes on four merchant vessels in Black Sea waters off Bulgaria this month, which it described as possible spillover from the Ukraine war. EconoTimes previously covered the maritime security issue in Bulgaria’s election debate. Radev said the attacks appeared to benefit Russia and summoned the Russian ambassador, though his government did not directly blame Moscow, DW reported. The outlet also said Starlink internet antennas were set on fire near Sofia.
DW said rising energy prices and inflation have caused hardship for many Bulgarians. It also reported concerns about corruption and voters’ hopes for a more stable government after repeated elections and coalition breakdowns. The outlet described Bulgaria as the European Union’s poorest member.
Polls are due to close at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT), when exit polling is expected, DW reported. The outlet said official results could follow within 48 hours of voting ending. A runoff is scheduled for Nov. 1 if the first round produces no majority winner; DW identified Iotova and Gyurov as likely contenders.
