Iliana Yotova Takes the Lead Over Andrey Gyurov in Bulgaria's 2026 Presidential Runoff

2026 Presidential Election Results in Bulgaria

According to Рубрика — Політика: On November 1, 2026, Bulgaria held the second round of its presidential election, where incumbent President Iliana Yotova emerged ahead with over half of the votes, surpassing former acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov. The election campaign was heavily influenced by the ongoing full-scale war initiated by Russia against Ukraine, a central issue throughout the race.

According to exit polls by Alpha Research, Yotova secured 52.5% of the vote, while Gyurov received 43.4%. Meanwhile, 4.1% of voters chose the option "I do not support anyone." Another exit poll from Market Links reported slightly different figures, with Yotova at 50.7% and Gyurov at 44%.

Profiles of the Leading Candidates

Iliana Yotova, aged 62 at the time of the election, has been a close ally of former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. She served as his vice president after their joint elections in 2016 and 2021, and took over the presidency in 2026 following Radev’s resignation prompted by his decision to run in parliamentary elections. Yotova supports Bulgaria's membership in the European Union and NATO, advocates for negotiations with Russia, and opposes providing military aid to Ukraine.

Andrey Gyurov, 50 years old, previously held the post of acting Prime Minister and was deputy head of the Bulgarian National Bank. During his premiership, he signed a security agreement between Bulgaria and Ukraine. Gyurov is backed by the pro-Western reformist opposition and has been openly supportive of Ukraine. His campaign criticized Yotova for not explicitly holding Russia accountable for attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea.

The first round of the presidential race took place on October 25, 2026. Throughout the campaign, the Russian-Ukrainian war, especially the conflict in the Black Sea region, remained a dominant topic. Yotova’s political background includes work as a journalist, a member of the European Parliament, and vice president of Bulgaria. Gyurov has held significant government roles and positions within Bulgaria’s central bank.

These elections highlight crucial geopolitical and domestic challenges facing Bulgaria amid regional instability stemming from the Ukraine conflict. Yotova’s stance toward Russia and her refusal to support military assistance to Ukraine could influence Bulgaria’s relationships within the EU and NATO, as well as shape the country’s internal political landscape. The election outcome may prove pivotal for Bulgaria’s future policies during this turbulent period.

The dynamics of the presidential race in Bulgaria have shifted significantly since the first round of voting. In the initial round, Iliana Yotova secured a lead with 34.59% of the votes, while Andrey Gyurov closely followed with 32.03%. This early contest set the stage for a heated runoff, reflecting the candidates' contrasting positions on critical issues such as foreign policy and national security. Understanding the factors that influenced their campaigns can provide deeper insights into the election's outcome.