Bulgaria votes in tight presidential race amid Ukraine war fallout — SkimNews
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- Bulgaria holds a presidential election amid public concern over rising energy prices and inflation, with 6.6 million registered voters but turnout expected below 40 percent.
- Iliana Iotova leads pre-election polls with 41 percent support and is backed by outgoing President Rumen Radev, who advocates for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine.
- Andrey Gyurov trails with 28 percent in polls and is supported by pro-Western parties, having signed a security agreement with Ukraine during his caretaker premiership.
- Black Sea drone strikes that likely killed about two dozen seafarers have influenced the campaign, with Bulgaria seeking allied support for maritime security despite not formally blaming Russia.
- Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated the drone attacks benefit the Russian Federation, reflecting growing concern over the war’s regional spillover into NATO territory.
Why it matters: With turnout likely below the 50 percent threshold and no candidate projected to win outright, a November 1 runoff becomes certain. The result will shape Bulgaria’s stance on Ukraine aid and NATO alignment at a time of heightened regional insecurity, directly affecting EU and alliance cohesion on Russia policy.
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