Iliana Yotova Leads Bulgaria 2026 Presidential Polls
Incumbent Iliana Yotova leads Bulgaria's presidential race with 44.5% support, though low turnout forecasts suggest a runoff is likely.
Incumbent head of state Iliana Yotova leads the 2026 Bulgarian presidential race with 44.5% support, according to an Alpha Research poll released October 5. Former caretaker prime minister Andrei Gyurov follows in second place with 26.1%, while Kostadin Kostadinov holds third with 10.5%.
Because no candidate currently holds a majority, a runoff between Yotova and Gyurov is highly likely for the second round of voting on November 1. The Yotova-Vulchev ticket receives backing from Progressive Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and ABV. The Gyurov-Kandev ticket is supported by We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria.
Low voter turnout is forecast at 37-38%, which analysts attribute to widespread disillusionment with politicians. This trend is exacerbated by the fact that major parties GERB-UDF and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms have not nominated candidates, leaving nearly half of their supporters intending to abstain from voting.
