The key facts

  • Iliana Yotova leads with 36.5%, Andrey Gyurov has 32.4% according to Trend/BTA exit polls
  • The gap is smaller than pre-election polls predicted
  • If no one wins more than 50%, a second round will be held on November 1

Yotova narrowly leads Gyurov according to exit polls

Bulgaria's incumbent president Iliana Yotova, according to exit polls, received the largest number of votes in Sunday's presidential election, narrowly ahead of former interim prime minister Andrey Gyurov. According to the Trend polling agency, cited by the news agency BTA, Yotova received 36.5% of the votes, Gyurov 32.4%. The gap between the two leading candidates turned out to be smaller than polling agencies had predicted before the election.

A second round is likely

The results point to a very competitive race, and the final outcome depends on the official vote count. Under Bulgaria's electoral system, a candidate must win more than 50% of valid votes with turnout exceeding 50% of registered voters to win in the first round. If no candidate meets these conditions, a second round between the two leaders will be held next Sunday, November 1.

Significance of the event

The election outcome will determine whether the incumbent president keeps the post for a new term, and the narrow gap in the exit polls means the result will effectively be decided by the official vote count. For voters, this means a likely second round on November 1 if no candidate wins more than 50% with turnout above 50%. Until official results are announced, it is premature to speak of a winner.