World News

Bulgaria's presidential race is shaped by Black Sea drone attacks and Ukraine policy

Incumbent Iliana Yotova leads Andrey Gyurov in one October poll, but low turnout could force a runoff.

Updated Oct 23, 2026 · 12:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

Bulgaria's presidential campaign has been shaped by drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea and the government's reduced support for Ukraine.[Deutsche Welle]
The race has narrowed to incumbent Iliana Yotova, backed by the prime minister, and former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, backed by opposition parties.[Deutsche Welle]
An October Market Links poll gave Yotova 47.3% to Gyurov's 30.6%, but turnout is expected below 40%, pointing to a November 1 runoff.[Associated Press]

Bulgaria's presidential campaign has been shaped by drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea and reduced government support for Ukraine.[Deutsche Welle]
Yotova is backed by the prime minister, while Gyurov is supported by opposition parties.[Deutsche Welle]
A Market Links poll conducted October 13-19 gave Yotova 47.3% and Gyurov 30.6%.[Associated Press]
Turnout on Sunday is expected to be below 40%, which would point to a runoff on November 1.[Associated Press]
Yotova declined Deutsche Welle's request for an interview.[Deutsche Welle]

Prime Minister Radev said there is not solid evidence to attribute the Black Sea drone attacks to any specific party.[Deutsche Welle]
Alpha Research's Boriana Dimitrova said Yotova's support has slightly declined because of ambiguity in some of her positions, which she described as not threatening her first-place lead.[Deutsche Welle]
Poll results come from a single survey, and turnout figures are expectations rather than results.[Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.