Politics
Bulgaria Presidential Race Heads to Runoff Between Yotova and Gyurov After Record-Low Turnout
October 25, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Coverage
3 reports · 1 in Arabic, 2 in English · over 2 hours
CNCNN
Presidential race in Bulgaria heads to runoff due to record low turnout
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera English
Bulgaria election heads to a run-off amid low voter turnout
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera Arabic
رؤيتان بشأن العلاقة مع روسيا.. جولة ثانية من انتخابات الرئاسة البلغارية الأحد المقبل
(opens the publisher’s site)Bulgaria's election will be decided in a November 1 runoff, pitting leftist incumbent Iliana Yotova against pro-Western challenger Andrey Gyurov after low first-round turnout.
- Sunday's first round produced no majority winner, sending the race to a November 1 runoff.
- Exit polls gave Yotova 35–36.5 percent and Gyurov 31–33.5 percent, with turnout at 22.2 percent.
- Yotova said after voting she wants to address "the dire issue of poverty" and regional inequalities.
- Gyurov, who invited Yotova to a debate, said he wants a Bulgaria that is European, free and proud.