Bulgarians vote in presidential run-off amid Black Sea tensions
Summary
Bulgarians are voting in a presidential run-off between incumbent Iliana Iotova and former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov after neither won a majority in the first round. The vote takes place amid concerns over drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea and economic issues; officials expect a result on Monday.Key Facts
- Iotova led Gyurov in the first round but did not reach the 50 percent needed to win.
- Election officials said turnout in the first round was 23 percent, a record low.
- Exit polls are due after voting ends at 8 p.m. local time on Sunday.
- Drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast have raised regional security concerns.
- About two dozen seafarers are feared dead in the attacks, according to the article.
- A Greek container ship sank on Wednesday after being hit by sea drones.
- Both candidates condemned the attacks and called for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine.
- Gyurov is backed by pro-Western reformist parties and signed a security cooperation agreement with Ukraine while serving as caretaker prime minister.
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