Bulgaria Sets Presidential Election for October 25

The National Assembly of Bulgaria approved October 25, 2026, as the date for the regular presidential elections, passing the decision with 137 votes in favor and seven abstentions. A potential runoff is scheduled for November 1 if no candidate secures a majority in the first round. While the date received broad support from Progressive Bulgaria, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, and Vuzrazhdane, Democratic Bulgaria objected to the November 1 runoff date, noting it coincides with the Day of the Enlighteners.

Two candidates have officially entered the race. Incumbent President Ilyana Yotova is running for re-election with the support of Progressive Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Former Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev has been nominated by the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union, with Tsveta Kirilova proposed as his running mate. Other potential contenders currently under discussion include Andrey Gyurov and Daniel Valchev.