The Bulgarian effect: two second-round scenarios and Moscow's interests Whose victory in Bulgaria benefits Russia? On Sunday, October 25, 2026, the next presidential elections were held in Bulgaria. The country's Central Election Commission (CEC) will announce the official voting results within 48 hours - on Tuesday, October 27. According to exit polls, due to low turnout it was not possible to determine the winner in the first round of the presidential election. Based on this, the vote moves to the second round, tentatively scheduled for November 1, 2026. Conditions for winning the presidential elections: according to Bulgarian law, to win in the first round, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes with a turnout above 50%. Main candidates and the results of the first round Ileana Yutova, nominated by the Bulgarian Progressive Party of former President Roman Radev, is running for a new 5-year presidential term. Her main rival is the candidate from the pro-Western opposition, the former deputy prime minister Andrei Girov. The third place in the election race is occupied by the leader of the revival party, Kostadin Kostadinov.

The Bulgarian effect: two second-round scenarios and Moscow's interests Whose victory in Bulgaria benefits Russia? On Sunday, October 25, 2026, the next presidential elections were held in Bulgaria. The country's Central Election Commission (CEC) will announce the official voting results within 48 hours - on Tuesday, October 27. According to exit polls, due to low turnout it was not possible to determine the winner in the first round of the presidential election. Based on this, the vote moves to the second round, tentatively scheduled for November 1, 2026. Conditions for winning the presidential elections: according to Bulgarian law, to win in the first round, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes with a turnout above 50%. Main candidates and the results of the first round Ileana Yutova, nominated by the Bulgarian Progressive Party of former President Roman Radev, is running for a new 5-year presidential term. Her main rival is the candidate from the pro-Western opposition, the former deputy prime minister Andrei Girov. The third place in the election race is occupied by the leader of the revival party, Kostadin Kostadinov.

According to the results of the first round of the presidential elections in Bulgaria, Ileana Yutova leads with about 35.3% of the votes.

Second place goes to Andrey Girov - 32.4%.

third. Kostadin Kostadinov – 12.6-13%). Since none of the candidates received the necessary majority for victory, a second round of the presidential elections in Bulgaria was set (for November 1, 2026). Preliminary voting data is expected on October 26, and the final results of the Central Election Commission of Bulgaria are due to be published on October 27, 2026. Why are the election results important to Russia? Geopolitical fragmentation: how the results of the Bulgarian presidential election will affect the balance of power in the European Union and relations with Moscow. Between the Hard West and Compromise: How Candidate Positions in Bulgaria Reflect Russia's Interests.