Bulgarian presidential election nears

Bulgarian voters are set to choose the country’s new president in an election heavily influenced by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Socialist candidate Iliana Iotova, aligned with current President Roumen Radev, is the frontrunner.

Radev’s party gains power

The presidential election on October 25 follows the historic April parliamentary victory of Radev’s party, Bulgaria Progress. This win gave the party an absolute majority in Parliament, marking the first time since 1997 that a single party achieved this without forming a coalition.

Political landscape shifts

The rise of Bulgaria Progress signals a shift in the country’s political scene. It has moved away from longstanding figures like Boiko Borisov, a former prime minister linked to corruption, and Delyan Peevski, a powerful oligarch.

Iotova leads in polls

Iliana Iotova, Radev’s former vice-president, is leading in opinion polls with over 47% of voter support. She is seen as a key figure in Radev’s political circle and a likely successor to his leadership.

Gurov trails behind

Andrey Gurov, a former interim prime minister, is the only significant rival to Iotova, though he trails far behind her in the polls. His campaign has not gained the same momentum as Iotova’s.