In Bulgaria, record low voter turnout triggers a November 1 presidential run-off in a poll colored by divisions over Ukraine war

Record low turnout in Sunday's Bulgarian elections mean voters are expected to head to the polls on November 1 to cast ballots in a presidential run-off.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. (0500-1800 GMT), with official results expected within 48 hours, but voter turnout was less than 40%, far short of the 50% required.

Voters were choosing between candidates with vastly different views of the war in Ukraine and relations with Moscow and the vote came as drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea off the Bulgarian coast brought home the significance of the conflict in Ukraine for the former Soviet satellite state.

Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, the head of state in Bulgaria can appoint interim governments during political crises, is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and is able to veto legislation.

Who are the main candidates in Bulgaria's presidential election?

Frontrunner in the elections is incumbent President Iliana Yotova, who took over the position this year after current Prime Minister Rumen Radev stepped down to take part in the parliamentary elections that led him to power.

Yotova, 62, who surveys show as having 41-47% of the vote, favors dialogue with Moscow as the way to bring peace to Ukraine and opposes military aid to Kyiv.

A win for Yotova would give a boost for Radev, who also advocates dialogue with Moscow. Victory would make Yotova Bulgaria’s first elected female president.

Her main challenger is Andrey Gyurov, a former caretaker prime minister, who is polling at 28-31%.

Gyurov, 50, who is backed by the pro-Western opposition, is an outspoken critic of Radev's foreign policy and strongly supports the Euro-Atlantic ties of Bulgaria, a European Union and NATO member state. As caretaker prime minister, Gyurov signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv.

The leader of the pro-Russian far-right Vazrazhdane party, Kostadin Kostadinov, is in third place on 10-13%.

Altogether 27 pairs of candidates for president and vice president are competing in the first round, with nearly half of them openly pro-Kremlin.

Top rivals vote, turnout low

After casting her ballot in Sofia, Yotova called for peace, stability and unity, urging an end to divisions among Bulgarians. Her main challenger, Gyurov, voted in Blagoevgrad, calling for a Bulgaria that looks ahead and offers families greater economic security.

Turnout was estimated at 15.1% by 3 p.m. local time (1300 GMT), according to polling agency Myara, Bulgarian media reported.

To win outright, a candidate must secure more than half the valid votes, with more than half of eligible voters taking part. Otherwise, the top two candidates advance to a runoff on November 1.

What are the main issues in Bulgaria's presidential election?

The war in Ukraine triggered by Russia's unprovoked invasion is one of the central themes in the election, particularly after four merchant ships were allegedly hit by drones off Bulgaria's coast this month in suspected spillover from the conflict. The attacks have prompted Bulgaria to seek assistance from its allies to strengthen maritime security.

Satellite internet antennas from the Starlink network — an important part of Ukraine's defense capabilities — were also set on fire near the capital, Sofia.

While Radev has said that the attacks seemed to be to the advantage of Russia and summoned the Russian ambassador, his government has declined to blame the incidents directly on Moscow.

The strikes have nonetheless raised concerns over Russia’s intentions to escalate the conflict.

Rising energy prices and inflation that have caused economic hardship to many in Bulgaria, the EU's poorest member state, are also a main issue addressed by candidates.

Many voters are also looking to stop government corruption, a persistent concern in the country, and hope for a stable government after multiple elections and coalition breakdowns in recent years.