Bulgaria’s presidential election heads to runoff after record-low turnout

Summary

Bulgaria’s presidential election ended inconclusively, with record-low turnout triggering a November 1 runoff, Deutsche Welle reports; ABC News also says the race will be decided in a runoff. Euronews reports that exit polls showed Yotova narrowly leading Gyurov in the first round. The campaign focused on Russia’s war in Ukraine, deadly drone strikes off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, and rising energy prices and inflation; Al Jazeera says the two leading candidates condemned the strikes but differed on the war more broadly.

Timeline

1. The Straits Times

   25 Oct 2026, 00:05 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Bulgarians are voting in presidential elections on Sunday as Russia's war in Ukraine spreads to the waters off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast.

2. Al Jazeera

   25 Oct 2026, 02:45 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that the two leading presidential candidates condemn recent deadly Black Sea drone strikes but differ on the war in Ukraine more broadly.

3. Deutsche Welle

   25 Oct 2026, 07:19 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that record low voter turnout has triggered a November 1 presidential run-off, in a poll coloured by strong divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine and Sofia's relations with the Kremlin.

4. Euronews

   25 Oct 2026, 10:59 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports, based on exit polls, that Yotova narrowly leads Gyurov in the first round, and that the campaign focused on the war in Ukraine, drone attacks on commercial vessels off Bulgaria's coast, and rising energy prices and inflation.

5. ABC News

   25 Oct 2026, 19:38 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that the presidential election ended inconclusively and the next head of state will be picked in a runoff.