People in Bulgaria are going to the polls for the second round of the presidential election, after the first round last Sunday, which had a record low turnout and no candidate received more than 50 percent.
VOTING PROCESS HAS STARTED
In the election, where approximately 6.6 million Bulgarian citizens have the right to vote, the two candidates who received the most votes in the first round face each other. Voting in the election, which was mainly carried out with electronic voting devices and paper ballots were used in regions where the number of registered voters was low, started at 07:00 local time. The voting process will continue until 20.00, and if there are citizens waiting in front of the ballot boxes, this process can be extended until 21.00.
THE TWO WINNER WITH THE MOST VOTE WILL BE DECLARED THE WINNER OF THE ELECTION
Following the record low turnout of approximately 23 percent last Sunday due to general distrust of politicians and lack of interest in the elections, today the opposition-supported candidate Andrey Gyurov will face off against the leftist President Iliyana Yotova, supported by the government. In order for the election to be concluded in the first round, the participation rate in the ballot box must exceed 50 percent and one of the candidates must receive more than 50 percent of the votes. In the second round, regardless of the participation rate, the duo consisting of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who receive the most votes will be deemed the winners of the election. The official term of office of the newly elected duo will be five years.
CANDIDATES FOCUSED ON THE WAR AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN UKRAINE
Before the election, which took place in the shadow of the security threats caused by the war in Ukraine in the Black Sea and the heavy impact of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East on the cost of living, candidates focused their campaigns on regional security and economic problems. In addition to the conflicts in the Black Sea and the war in Ukraine, the increase in energy prices and inflation, which deepened the financial difficulties of families living in rural areas, were also among the main issues on the candidates' agenda.
YOTOVA ADVOCATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
Yotova, who served as vice president during Prime Minister Radev's two terms as president, temporarily took over the presidency in January after Radev resigned to run for office in the general elections. Despite running as an independent candidate, Yotova has the support of Progressive Bulgaria, led by Radev, and the Socialist Party, where she started her political career, and stands out as a candidate who advocates developing relations with Russia while keeping Bulgaria on the path to Europe.
Former Central Bank deputy governor and economist Andrey Gyurov, who served as interim prime minister in the first months of this year, is supported by the pro-Western opposition and is known for frequently voicing his support for Ukraine.
Yotova's victory in the election will be considered a victory on the Radev front. This result will be the first important test of voter support for Prime Minister Radev, who emerged victorious in the general elections held in April. Gyurov's win will be interpreted as a victory for the Bulgarian opposition.
CANDIDATES FACE TO FACE ON THE TELEVISION PROGRAM
The two candidates faced each other on the television program they attended during the week. Yotova stated that concrete proposals should be presented regarding a possible peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia and said, "You cannot bring a warring country to the negotiation table with only ultimatums, declarations and wishes."
