Second round of presidential election in Bulgaria: Two candidates are competing, all eyes are on the ballot box

Voters in Bulgaria went to the polls on Sunday to determine the country's new president. In the second round of the elections for the presidential office, which has largely symbolic powers, 61-year-old Iliyana Yotova and 50-year-old Andrey Gyurov faced each other.

Although Yotova received the most votes in the first round last week with the participation of 27 candidates, she could not reach the 50 percent majority required to be elected. It was reported that participation in the election remained at a record low level.

It is expected that the voting process will end at 20:00 local time and the first results will be announced after the exit polls. It is stated that the election result may become clear on Monday once the vote count is completed.

The presidential election coincided with increasing security concerns following drone attacks on commercial ships on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast in the last month.

While it was stated that approximately 24 sailors may have lost their lives in the attacks, the events drew reaction from the international community.

The sinking of a Greek container ship on Wednesday after being hit by maritime drones further increased concerns about the safety of maritime transport in the region.

Following the attacks, the Bulgarian government requested support from its allies to strengthen maritime security in the Black Sea.

THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR IS AT THE CENTER OF THE AGENDA

Condemning the attacks in the Black Sea, both presidential candidates argued that the Russia-Ukraine war should be ended through diplomatic means.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who supports Yotova, claimed that the consequences of attacks on commercial ships "serve the interests of the Russian Federation."

The increasing effects of the war on the Black Sea have made Bulgaria's regional security policies one of the important topics of the election agenda.

Iliyana Yotova, who finished ahead in the first round of the election, will be the first female president of Bulgaria elected by the public if she is successful in the second round.

Yotova took over the position temporarily after Rumen Radev left the presidency in January to participate in parliamentary elections.

Yotova, supported by Radev, advocates continuation of dialogue with Russia and ending the Ukrainian war through negotiations. Yotova also opposes increasing military aid to Ukraine.

In the first round, Yotova received approximately 35 percent of the votes, while her opponent Gyurov's vote rate remained at 32 percent. It was noteworthy that the participation in the election was approximately 23 percent.

SUPPORT TO UKRAINE FROM THE PRO-WEST CANDIDATE

The other candidate of the election, Andrey Gyurov, receives the support of pro-Western and reformist political parties.

Gyurov, who served as interim prime minister this year, continued his support for Ukraine throughout his term and signed a security cooperation agreement with the Kiev administration.

Among the names supporting Gyurov are right-leaning politicians, including former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Criticizing Russia's military intervention in Ukraine, Gyurov argues that Bulgaria's position within NATO and the European Union should be strengthened.

Participation in the first round of the presidential election held in Bulgaria on October 25 remained at approximately 23 percent. This rate was recorded as a record low turnout for the country's presidential elections.

Since no candidate could obtain the required majority in the first round, the election was moved to a second round.

Voters are voting to determine the new president of the country at a time when security problems and economic difficulties in the Black Sea are on the agenda.