See who’s in the presidential runoff

The first round of the presidential and vice-presidential elections on October 25 was marked by low voter turnout. Bulgarians are expected to return to the polls for a runoff on November 1, 2026, as a presidential candidate must receive more than half of the valid votes cast, with voter turnout exceeding 50% of eligible voters, to be elected in the first round.

According to the opinion polls, the two leading presidential tickets expected to advance to the runoff are Iliana Iotova–Kiril Valchev and Andrey Gyurov–Georgi Kandev. Find out more about the candidates and their professional backgrounds:

Presidential candidate Iliana Iotova has served as Bulgaria’s president since January 23, 2026, following the early termination of Rumen Radev’s term. She previously served as vice president from 2017, with a particular focus on relations with Bulgarian communities abroad. Earlier, she served as a Member of the European Parliament and as a member of Bulgaria’s National Assembly representing the Bulgarian Socialist Party. A philologist by education, she also has extensive experience as a television journalist and headed the BSP’s press office.

Earlier today, after casting her ballot, Iliana Iotova told reporters: “I voted for an end to division and hatred among us. I firmly believe that Bulgaria will move forward. I firmly believe that we need peace, stability and security.”

Her running mate, vice-presidential candidate Kiril Valchev, holds a law degree and is a long-serving radio journalist. Since 2021, he has headed the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), where he has also placed an emphasis on covering the lives of Bulgarians around the world.

Presidential candidate Andrey Gyurov is an economist and university lecturer. He is a former MP and former chair of the parliamentary group of We Continue the Change, and later served as deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank. From February 19 to May 8, 2026, he served as Bulgaria’s caretaker prime minister.

After casting his ballot today, Andrey Gyurov stressed: “We do not want our children to live in fear, dependence and the poverty of the past. We want a Bulgaria that looks to the future, a Bulgaria that is European, free and proud, where incomes are sufficient, we feel secure about tomorrow, and the state does its job.”

His running mate, vice-presidential candidate Georgi Kandev, has more than 27 years of professional experience in the Ministry of Interior. He has held senior positions in the General Directorate Combating Organised Crime and the General Directorate National Police. From February to June 2026, he served as acting chief secretary of the Ministry of Interior.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov