There are presidential elections in Bulgaria. How can UAV attacks in the Black Sea affect the outcome? The elections in Bulgaria will be a test for former president Roman Radev's ruling party, Progressive Bulgaria. The main struggle for the presidency is between the current head of state Iliana Yutova (supported by Radev) and the former prime minister Andrey Girov (supported by the opposition). Following the drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea, the differences in support for Ukraine became apparent. The fact that the authorities in Bulgaria did not give a clear assessment of the attacks and did not name the perpetrators caused dissatisfaction in the country. "It seems to me that the UAV attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea and the completely spineless position of the president, the prime minister and everyone who stands with them were the last straw that ran out of patience. I think that on the eve of the presidential elections this should become a catalyst for change," shared Velda Tsenova, one of the protest participants. Yutova advocated the creation of a "peace coalition", within which, she believes, Bulgaria could play a more prominent diplomatic role in ending the Russian war against Ukraine. "There are many warmongers in our country, but I am not one of them," she emphasized at one of the election rallies, and promised that "no Bulgarian soldier will go to Ukraine." YouTube is still leading in the polls, ahead of Giorov by about 12 percentage points. However, his advantage is no longer as great as before. Read more in the DW material.

There are presidential elections in Bulgaria. How can UAV attacks in the Black Sea affect the outcome? The elections in Bulgaria will be a test for former president Roman Radev's ruling party, Progressive Bulgaria. The main struggle for the presidency is between the current head of state Iliana Yutova (supported by Radev) and the former prime minister Andrey Girov (supported by the opposition). Following the drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea, the differences in support for Ukraine became apparent. The fact that the authorities in Bulgaria did not give a clear assessment of the attacks and did not name the perpetrators caused dissatisfaction in the country. "It seems to me that the UAV attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea and the completely spineless position of the president, the prime minister and everyone who stands with them were the last straw that ran out of patience. I think that on the eve of the presidential elections this should become a catalyst for change," shared Velda Tsenova, one of the protest participants. Yutova advocated the creation of a "peace coalition", within which, she believes, Bulgaria could play a more prominent diplomatic role in ending the Russian war against Ukraine. "There are many warmongers in our country, but I am not one of them," she emphasized at one of the election rallies, and promised that "no Bulgarian soldier will go to Ukraine." YouTube is still leading in the polls, ahead of Giorov by about 12 percentage points. However, his advantage is no longer as great as before. Read more in the DW material.