San Francisco Frontiers - Bulgarian president wins runoff vote as Black Sea attacks raise stakes

The race for the largely ceremonial post had pitted Iotova, an ally of Prime Minister Rumen Radev, against Andrey Gyurov, a banker and former caretaker prime minister backed by the pro-Western opposition.

Iotova gained between 57.4 percent and 58.2 percent of the vote, according to estimates from several polling institutes, well ahead of Gyurov, who garnered between 38.6 percent and 39.6 percent.

Flanked by Radev, a jubilant Iotova declared victory, saying her message had focused on "incomes, peace and the challenges that lie ahead".

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Iotova.

"From security and defence to our competitiveness and energy independence, I look forward to continuing our joint work. For a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe," she said on X.

- 'Clear path forward' -

The election was held against a backdrop of a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea that have raised security concerns

Several vessels were struck in the Black Sea off Bulgaria in October, leaving 21 people missing, in what is thought to be spillover from the Russia-Ukraine war.

While centre-left Radev has said the attacks appeared to serve Russian interests and summoned the Russian ambassador, his government insists there is so far no evidence directly linking them to Moscow.

"Today, the Bulgarian people have chosen the future over the past," said Radev, who also advocates dialogue with Moscow.

"They have opted for normalcy and a stable, clear path forward."

Iotova, 62, took over the post of president earlier this year from Radev, who stepped down to run in parliamentary elections.

Sunday's vote means she is set to become the first elected woman president in the country of 6.4 million people.

Gyurov, 50 and a former deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, told reporters that he accepted "the results as they are.

"We have laid a solid foundation upon which we can build," he added, emphasising the importance of seeking unity.

- 'Chord of fear' -

Historically close to Russia, Bulgaria remains deeply divided over its relationship with Moscow.

"The sensitive chord of fear regarding war was exploited. Even today, Iotova presented herself as the 'president of peace,'" sociologist Boryana Dimitrova of the Alpha Research institute told AFP.

For Radev and his allies the election was "crucial for the stability of their hold on power", she added.

After voting in Sofia, Iotova said she wanted "Bulgaria to be strong in a strong Europe" and remain "sovereign in its decisions".

A longtime ally of Radev, she supports Bulgaria's EU and NATO membership while arguing that peace in Ukraine can be achieved only through negotiations.

A former journalist and member of the European Parliament, Iotova was elected vice-president alongside Radev in 2016 and 2021.

Gyurov said after voting that he had voted for a "secure, stable and European Bulgaria".

The first round -- where Iotova narrowly won over Gyurov -- recorded a record low turnout of 23 percent. Turnout in the second round was projected to be around 27 percent.

Petar Doitchinov, a 67-year-old retired engineer, said he had skipped the first round because he expected a runoff.

He said he voted for "the lesser evil", as neither candidate matched his "vision of democracy".

W.Thompson--SFF