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Bulgaria is holding presidential elections on Sunday. Deadly drone attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea have heightened security concerns in the country and exposed divisions over the war in Ukraine.
According to AnewZ, 27 candidates are running in the election. The leading contenders are acting President Iliana Iotova, 61, and former interim Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, 50. Opinion polls indicate that a runoff could be held on November 1.
About two dozen international seafarers are believed to have been killed in a series of drone attacks on commercial ships near the Bulgarian coast, Reuters reported.
The attacks have prompted Sofia to seek support from its allies to strengthen maritime security. The effects of the war in Ukraine are consequently being felt more acutely in Bulgaria, an EU and NATO member.
Bulgaria has not directly accused Russia of carrying out the attacks. However, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said their consequences “serve the interests of the Russian Federation.”
Candidates differ on Ukraine
Both leading candidates have condemned the attacks, but they differ on broader issues related to the conflict.
Gyurov, who is backed by pro-Western reformist parties, supports Ukraine and closer cooperation with NATO allies. During his time as interim prime minister, he signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv.
At an election rally on Thursday, Gyurov stressed the importance of Bulgaria being a reliable NATO ally and defending its interests through military preparedness and diplomacy.
Iotova began serving as acting president in January, after Radev resigned to enter parliamentary politics. She supports a diplomatic resolution to the war.
Radev backs Iotova. He resigned from the presidency earlier this year to enter parliamentary politics and later won the election.
“My opponents say a war of attrition must be waged. The truth is, we are all the ones who are most exhausted,” Iotova told supporters on Thursday.
If elected, Iotova would become Bulgaria’s first elected woman president.
Maritime security has economic significance
Rising security concerns also have economic implications for Bulgaria’s seaports, which are important to regional trade.
Bulgaria’s seaports handled 27.49 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, down 6.9% from the previous year, according to the country’s National Statistical Institute. The decline was recorded before the latest drone attacks.
Regional security cooperation has also expanded. In July, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey agreed to extend the remit of their joint Black Sea mine countermeasures group to include protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
The agreement aims to strengthen maritime security and cooperation among the three NATO allies, according to Romania’s Ministry of National Defence. The latest attacks have again highlighted the regional importance of protecting shipping routes and underwater infrastructure.
Iotova has 41% support and Gyurov 28%, according to an Alpha Research poll, Reuters reported.
Although the Bulgarian president’s powers are largely ceremonial, the office carries constitutional responsibilities, including command of the armed forces and the power to veto laws.
The election is therefore also a test of Bulgaria’s political direction as the war in neighboring Ukraine affects regional security.
Voting began at 7 a.m. local time on Sunday, October 25. Polling stations are scheduled to close at 8 p.m.
If no candidate secures the required majority in the first round, Bulgarians will vote again in a runoff on November 1.
