Bulgarians are voting in a presidential runoff between Iliana Yotova and Andrey Gyurov
Bulgarians began voting November 1 in a presidential runoff between acting President Iliana Yotova and former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, after neither won a majority. The Central Election Commission reported Yotova at 34.8% and Gyurov at 32%. DW said Yotova opposes military aid to Ukraine; Gyurov has pro-Western backing. A win would make Yotova Bulgaria’s first elected female president.
More context
On November 1, Bulgarians returned to the polls for a second-round presidential contest featuring acting President Iliana Yotova and former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, following a first round in which neither secured a majority. Polls opened at 07:00 local time and were scheduled to close at 20:00. Yotova led the first round with 34.76% of the vote, against Gyurov’s 31.95%, Deutsche Welle reported. Turnout was about 23% of eligible voters. Yotova assumed the presidency in January after former President Rumen Radev resigned and is backed by his Progressive Bulgaria party, Anadolu Agency reported. Yotova opposes military aid to Ukraine, while Gyurov is backed by the pro-Western opposition, according to Deutsche Welle. The runoff followed drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. A victory would make Yotova Bulgaria’s first elected female president.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting
- The Sofia Globe — Bulgaria holds November 1 presidential election runoff – The Sofia Globe
- Anadolu Agency — Bulgaria heads to presidential runoff amid political instability
- WSLS 10 News (with Associated Press) — Bulgarians vote in a presidential runoff marked by regional security threats
- Deutsche Welle — Bulgaria votes in closely contested presidential runoff
- Türkiye Today — Bulgaria votes in presidential runoff as Black Sea attacks sharpen divide over Russia - Türkiye Today
- France 24 — Divided Bulgaria votes in tense presidential runoff
- Mezha — Bulgaria’s presidential election runoff has begun
Verifier’s note
The Sofia Globe, Anadolu Agency, WSLS, DW, Türkiye Today, France 24, and Mezha report that Bulgaria’s presidential runoff is taking place on November 1, with several explicitly saying voting began or voters cast ballots. The reports are current and do not contradict the proposed event.