Bulgarians vote in presidential run-off amid Black Sea tensions

Voting is under way in a Bulgarian presidential run-off marked by growing regional security threats and domestic economic reservations.

Key points

• President Iliana Iotova, 61, led over former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, 50, in the first round but fell short of the 50 percent threshold needed to win.
• Exit ‌polls will be published after voting ends at 8pm (18: 00 GMT) on Sunday, with a result projected on Monday.
• A host of right-leaning political figures, among them ex-Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, have expressed backing for Gyurov.
• The presidential vote comes against the backdrop of a series of drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast previously month.
• Both leading presidential candidates have condemned the attacks. ⁠Prime Minister Rumen Radev.

President Iliana Iotova, 61, led over former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, 50, in the first round but fell short of the 50 percent threshold needed to win. The first round drew record low turnout. Only 23 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot, according to election authorities.

For context, the presidential vote comes against the backdrop of a series of drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast previously month. It have sparked international condemnation and reservations concerning the growing reach of Russia's war ⁠on Ukraine.

Regarding two dozen seafarers are feared dead, and ⁠the strikes have prompted the administration to seek support from Bulgaria's allies to bolster maritime security. On Wednesday, a Greek container ship sank after being hit by sea drones.

Both leading presidential candidates have condemned the attacks. ⁠Prime Minister Rumen Radev. This person backs Iotova, remarked the strikes' outcome "benefits the Russian Federation". They have both pressed ⁠a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine.

In practice, a victory for ⁠Iotova would create her Bulgaria's first elected female president. She became acting president in January after Radev resigned to enter and win a parliamentary race on what plenty of political analysts considered a Kremlin-friendly ‌ticket.

Gyurov, who served as caretaker prime minister this year, is backed by pro-Western, reformist parties and has long expressed backing for Ukraine.

He signed a security ‌cooperation agreement ‌with Kyiv during his time as premier.

Gyurov remarked he wants Bulgaria to be a reliable NATO ally able to stand for up its interests with robust diplomacy and a firm position.

In practice, a host of right-leaning political figures, among them ex-Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, have expressed backing for Gyurov.

In short, bulgarians vote in presidential run is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.