Bulgaria exit polls: Incumbent Yotova predicted to win

Exit polls in Bulgaria suggested on Sunday evening that incumbent president Iliana Yotova had won a presidential runoff.

Yotova, who opposes military aid to Ukraine and favors dialogue with Russia, was projected to win between 50.7% and 52.5% of the vote.

Her rival, former interim Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, who was backed by reformist pro-Western opposition parties, was predicted to be trailing with between 43.4% and 44%.

If confirmed by official results, Yotova would become Bulgaria's first elected female head of state.

Although Bulgaria's presidency has largely ceremonial duties, the president can appoint interim governments during political crises, serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and veto legislation.

The war in Ukraine was a central issue in the election, with voters heading to the polls amid growing security concerns in the Black Sea, which borders Bulgaria, following a rise in drone attacks targeting commercial vessels.

Yotova presented herself as a "president of peace" who favors dialogue with Moscow.

In a TV debate before the runoff, Gyurov accused Yotova of avoiding direct criticism of Russia over the Black Sea attacks.

"Russia must stop its aggression so that the next steps can be taken. Let us name the country from which the threats are coming," he said.

In response, Yotova argued that "peace can come only through negotiations," and maintained that continued aid for Ukraine "leads only to more destruction and the deaths of many people on both sides."

If her victory is confirmed, Yotova is expected to pursue a similar approach to Prime Minister Rumen Radev — keeping Bulgaria on its European path while seeking closer ties with Russia and advocating the lifting of sanctions.

After casting her vote on Sunday, Yotava said she had voted for her country to become a "strong state within a strong Europe."

But she added that she wanted Bulgaria to have its own foreign policy and "backbone" when defending its national interest.

Gyurov, for his part, said he had voted for "a secure, stable and European Bulgaria."

"Let us choose the future, not the past," he said.

He has repeatedly voiced strong support for Ukraine and signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv during his premiership.