In brief
On Sunday, Bulgaria’s presidential runoff produced a record‑high turnout, nearly 10% above the first round, with exit polls showing Iliana Iotova leading her rivals. Progressive Bulgaria MPs Petar Vitanov and Dimitar Zdravkov welcomed the result, stressing the legitimacy of the newly elected president and urging rivals to field stronger candidates next time. The runoff marked a significant shift in Bulgarian politics amid adverse weather and a contentious campaign.
In Sofia on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Bulgaria’s presidential runoff ended with a record‑high turnout and an early fan‑fare for Iliana Iotova, according to exit polls released by five national agencies. The vote coincided with a hail of praise from Progressive Bulgaria MPs, who declared the outcome predictable and the new president fully legitimate.
At the Iotova‑Kiril Valchev campaign headquarters, Progressive Bulgaria Floor Leader Petar Vitanov thanked voters who braved heavy rain to cast their ballots, noting that the turnout had surged by nearly ten percent compared with the first round. He attributed the increase to a campaign that had mobilized voters, despite a negative campaign that had discouraged many.
Pitanov said: “Bulgaria will be more stable and calmer after Monday. The trend we are seeing is logical and reflects public expectations.”
The turnout rise was described as unprecedented, with Vitanov highlighting that in Bulgaria’s democratic history there had been only two instances where the second round saw higher participation than the first. Calling the deficit of five to 10 percent “unprecedented,” he stressed that the vote's legitimacy was unquestioned.
Measuring the electorate’s mood, the first exit polls released after the November 1 runoff, collected at 8:00 p.m. local time, showed that Iotova and running mate Kiril Valchev combined garnered 51.6% of the vote, while the opposition duo of Andrey Gurov and Georgi Kandev trailed at 43.4%. Factoring in seven additional agencies, the trend remained consistent, with Gallup International, Alpha Research, and Market Links each reporting a 51–53% advantage for the Iotova‑Valchev ticket.
At the same time, Progressive Bulgaria MP Dimitar Zdravkov called the runoff result expected, adding in a statement that the runner‑up alliance “should field more worthy and better‑prepared candidates in the next presidential election.” He emphasised that the presidential vote was separate from parliamentary contests, citing that a president’s campaign “had nothing to do with parliamentary elections.”
The first major exit poll at 7 p.m. by Trend reported Iotova / Valchev at 51.6% and Gurov / Kandev at 43.4%. Meanwhile, Myara’s 8 p.m. exit poll listed Iotova / Valchev at 51% and Gurov / Kandev at 44.7%. The consistent advantage across five agencies suggests a clear front‑runner even as the final count remained pending. This early momentum corroborated Vitanov’s view that the outcome was a continuation of Bulgaria’s democratic trajectory.
Across the BTA‑reported statements, the sense underscores a public that is ready for change, with “a tragic generation” turned “€10/€20” voted for the leadership figures who promised stability. The Progressive Bulgaria MPs stressed voter mobilization, legitimate representation, and a cautious yet optimistic outlook, signalling that while the present election result is welcomed, the next cycle will demand stronger competition and better preparation.
