Bulgaria votes for president in shadow of deadly Black Sea drone strikes

Bulgarians vote for president on Sunday, 25 October 2026, after drone strikes on merchant ships off the Black Sea coast. Polls run 7am–8pm (05:00–18:00 GMT).

Polls put acting President Iliana Iotova, 61, and ex-caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, 50, ahead in a race of 27 candidates. Though largely ceremonial, the vote has gained significance after drone attacks on merchant ships that likely killed some two-dozen international seafarers, prompting the government to seek allied maritime-security assistance.

Bulgaria has stopped short of directly accusing Russia, but Prime Minister Rumen Radev said their outcome “benefits the Russian Federation”.

Gyurov, backed by pro-Western reformist parties, has long supported Ukraine and signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv. “I want Bulgaria to have a voice of its own in Europe. A reliable NATO ally that defends its interests through preparedness, strong diplomacy and a clear position,” he said on Thursday.

Iotova, formerly vice president, became acting president in January after Radev resigned to enter the parliamentary race. Radev supports her; both want a diplomatic end to the war. A victory would make Iotova Bulgaria’s first elected female president. “My opponents argue that there must be a war of attrition. The truth is, we are all the ones who are most exhausted,” she said on Thursday.

Alpha Research polls give Iotova 41% and Gyurov 28%. No outright majority is expected; turnout must top 50% of 6.6 million registered voters but is expected under 40%, so a run-off on 1 November is likely.

Sources:

• Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/bulgaria-votes-president-wake-deadly-black-sea-drone-strikes-2026-10-25/
• Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/25/bulgarians-vote-for-president-in-shadow-of-russias-war-in-ukraine
• The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bulgaria-presidential-election-black-sea-drone-strikes-on-october-25-2026/article71622481.ece