Bulgarians decide next president after Black Sea attacks

Bulgaria is deciding its next head of state on Sunday, with polls closing at 18:00 GMT. The race follows a first round where turnout dropped to a record low of 23 percent, according to election officials. Exit polls will be released after voting ends, and the final result is expected on Monday.

The two candidates are President Iliana Iotova and former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov. Iotova, 61, led in the initial vote but did not reach the 50 percent threshold required for an outright win. Gyurov, 50, serves as the main challenger in this runoff. Both candidates have condemned recent attacks on merchant ships off the Black Sea coast. These strikes have occurred over the past month and have led to international criticism.

About two dozen seafarers are feared dead following the maritime strikes. A Greek container ship sank on Wednesday after being hit by sea drones. The government has asked allies for help to improve maritime security. Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who supports Iotova, stated that the outcome of the strikes benefits the Russian Federation. Both candidates have called for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine.

Iotova has served as acting president since January, following Radev's resignation to win a parliamentary seat on a ticket viewed as friendly to the Kremlin. A victory would make her Bulgaria's first elected female president. Gyurov is backed by pro-Western reformist parties and right-leaning figures, including ex-Prime Minister Boiko Borisov. He signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv earlier this year.

Gyurov wants Bulgaria to act as a reliable NATO ally. He aims to defend national interests through strong diplomacy and a firm stance. The election takes place while the country manages rising regional security threats and domestic economic concerns.