Exit polls show acting President Yotova leading Bulgaria's presidential runoff

Summary

Bulgarians voted on Sunday, November 1, in a low-turnout presidential runoff for the largely ceremonial presidency. Exit polls showed acting President Iliana Yotova leading, which would make her the country's first elected female head of state. Deutsche Welle reports she is predicted to win just over 50% of the vote against the more Russia-friendly candidate, who favors dialogue with Moscow, while ABC News says surveys by several polling organizations give her about 52%. Euronews reports the runoff pits two candidates with sharply contrasting views on how Bulgaria should engage with Russia and the war in Ukraine, and ABC News reports the vote is taking place amid regional security threats and economic worries. These are exit poll projections, not official results.

Timeline

1. Deutsche Welle

   1 Nov 2026, 07:00 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that exit polls predict acting President Iliana Yotova will win just over 50% of the vote against the more Russia-friendly candidate, who favors dialogue with Moscow.

2. Straits Times

   1 Nov 2026, 08:52 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that exit polls showed acting President Iliana Yotova leading a low-turnout runoff for the largely ceremonial presidency, putting her on course to become the country's first elected female head of state.

3. Euronews

   1 Nov 2026, 11:11 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that the runoff pits two candidates with sharply contrasting views on how Bulgaria should engage with Russia and the war in Ukraine.

4. ABC News

   1 Nov 2026, 20:10 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that Bulgarians are voting amid regional security threats and economic worries, and that surveys by several polling organizations give Yotova about 52% of the vote.