Bulgaria's Moscow-leaning president Iliana Yotova is forced into a runoff after a pro-Ukraine rival's shock surge
A cargo vessel damaged in drone strikes on the Black Sea in October, as Bulgaria prepares to vote with 21 people still missing after four ships were struck off its coast this month.Iliana Iotova, who has campaigned as a 'president of peace' and opposes military aid to Ukraine, would become Bulgaria's first woman elected to the presidency if she wins the November 1 runoff.
Official results show Iliana Yotova on 34.8 per cent, with Andrey Gyurov — a former caretaker prime minister — close behind on 32 per cent. Turnout reached a record low of around 22 per cent. Pre-election polls had suggested Yotova would come near the 50 per cent threshold required for an outright victory. The two candidates will face each other again in the runoff on Sunday, 1 November.
A security co-operation agreement with Ukraine was concluded under Gyurov's caretaker government.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev says Sunday's choice is "between peace and war".
Yotova, who opposes military aid to Ukraine, could become Bulgaria's first elected woman president.
