Bulgarians vote in presidential elections on Sunday (October 25, 2026) as Russia’s war in Ukraine spreads to the waters off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.
Polls place acting President Iliana Iotova, 61, and ex-caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, 50, as leaders in a race of 27 candidates.
He signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv during his time as premier. The strikes, which sparked international condemnation and concerns about the growing reach of the war in Ukraine, prompted the government to seek allied assistance to bolster maritime security. Mr. Gyurov, who served as caretaker Prime Minister this year, is supported by pro-Western, reformist parties and has long expressed support for Ukraine.
Bulgaria has stopped short of directly accusing Russia of carrying out the attacks, but Prime Minister Rumen Radev said their outcome “benefits the Russian Federation”.
Radev resigned to enter the parliamentary race, which he won on what many political analysts considered a Kremlin-friendly ticket. “I want Bulgaria to have a voice of its own in Europe. Ms. Iotova, formerly Vice President, became acting president in January after Mr. Mr. Radev supports Ms. Iotova, and they both call for a diplomatic end to the war. A victory for Ms. Iotova would make her Bulgaria’s first elected female President.
A reliable NATO ally that defends its interests through preparedness, strong diplomacy and a clear position,” he said at a rally on Thursday (October 22, 2026).
