The vote comes weeks after drone strikes hit ships off the coast near Byala, sparking international condemnation and raising fears that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is spreading to Bulgarian waters. Prime Minister Rumen Radev stopped short of directly blaming Moscow but stated the outcome of the attacks "benefits the Russian Federation." Bulgaria has since sought allied assistance to bolster its maritime security.
Both leading candidates have condemned the strikes but hold competing visions for Bulgaria's foreign policy. Gyurov, backed by pro-Western reformist parties, supports continued military aid for Ukraine and signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv as premier. "I want Bulgaria to have a voice of its own in Europe, a reliable NATO ally that defends its interests through preparedness, strong diplomacy and a clear position," he said at a rally last week.
Iotova, who became acting president after Radev resigned to enter parliament, calls for a diplomatic end to the conflict. "My opponents argue that there must be a war of attrition. The truth is, we are all the ones who are most exhausted," she told a rally on Thursday. Dobromir Zhivkov, managing director of the Market Links polling agency, told the Associated Press that Iotova is among those who advocate a more neutral stance, adopting what he called "Kremlin rhetoric and terminology borrowed directly from Kremlin propaganda" by calling for an end to aid and arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Polls by Alpha Research give Iotova 41 percent of the vote and Gyurov 28 percent. Although the presidency is largely a ceremonial post, the direct election gives the winner political authority as commander of the armed forces, and the ability to veto legislation and sign international treaties. Turnout is expected to fall below the 50 percent threshold of the 6.6 million registered voters needed to avoid a run-off.