An election overshadowed by war at sea

Bulgarians vote in presidential elections on Sunday 25 October 2026, as Russia's war in Ukraine spreads to the waters off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Polls place acting President Iliana Iotova, aged 61, and former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov, aged 50, as leaders in a race involving 27 candidates.

While the presidency is largely ceremonial, Sunday's vote has taken on added significance after a series of drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast that likely killed some two dozen international seafarers. The strikes sparked international condemnation and concerns about the growing reach of the war, and prompted the government to seek allied assistance to bolster maritime security.

The two leading candidates

Gyurov, who served as caretaker prime minister this year, is supported by pro-Western, reformist parties and has long expressed support for Ukraine. He signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv during his time as premier. At a rally on Thursday he said he wanted Bulgaria to have a voice of its own in Europe, describing the country as a reliable NATO ally that defends its interests through preparedness, strong diplomacy and a clear position.

Iotova, formerly vice president, became acting president in January after Rumen Radev resigned to enter the parliamentary race, which he won. Radev supports Iotova, and both call for a diplomatic end to the war. A victory for Iotova would make her Bulgaria's first elected female president.

What Bulgaria has said about the strikes

Bulgaria has stopped short of directly accusing Russia of carrying out the attacks, but Prime Minister Rumen Radev said their outcome benefits the Russian Federation. Both leading presidential candidates condemned the strikes, but they differ over the broader war and over how Bulgaria should position itself.