Bulgaria’s Presidential Race Amid War and Economic Strain

Chronology

1. 25-10-2026
   Bulgaria’s Presidential Vote Amid War and Economic Strain

   5 articles

   Bulgaria’s presidential election is being shaped by Russia’s war in Ukraine, Black Sea security concerns and mounting economic hardship. Reported drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria’s coast, which likely killed around two dozen seafarers, have heightened fears that the c…
2. 01-11-2026
   Bulgaria’s Runoff Tests Its Russia and Ukraine Policy

   3 articles

   Bulgaria’s closely contested presidential runoff pitted incumbent Iliana Yotova against pro-Western challenger Andrey Gyurov, with the candidates offering sharply different approaches to Russia’s war against Ukraine and regional security. Yotova advocated dialogue with Moscow, ne…
3. 02-11-2026
   Iotova Wins as Bulgaria’s First Woman President

   4 articles

   Iliana Iotova won Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, becoming the country’s first elected woman president. She received 57.6% of the vote against 39.5% for former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov. The campaign highlighted Bulgaria’s foreign-policy direction: Iotova and Prime M…