Elections today not only in Serbia. Bulgaria is also electing a new president and vice president. These are extraordinary elections, as Bulgaria has witnessed a focus for the first time in history, first demonstrated by Putin with Medvedev in Russia, and now by Vučić in Serbia. The essence of the focus is simple – to remain in power, the previous president Rumen Radev, like the aforementioned gentlemen, stepped down from the presidency to become prime minister. Although there are as many as 27 candidate pairs (presidential and vice presidential) participating in the elections, there are essentially two main candidates: Iliana Iotova - the acting president, former vice president to Radev during both of his terms. She is the candidate of Radev's party "Progressive Bulgaria." Polls predict about 47.3% for her. She is considered pro-European, but at the same time aligns with Radev's line, which is manifested in pro-Russian rhetoric, yet never blocks EU and NATO decisions. The most accurate description would be "Bulgaria first." Andrey Gyurov - about 22% economist, former acting prime minister at the beginning of 2026. He is the main opposition candidate, supported by those wishing to distance themselves from Radev's influence. Most pro-Western and pro-Ukrainian. Also mentioned is Petar Volgin with about 10.3% - he is a candidate of the pro-Russian, nationalist line. Voter turnout is predicted to be very low - about 39%. Why are the elections important? Bulgaria has been a member of the eurozone since 2026, but is politically very unstable. On April 19, the parliamentary elections were won by Radev's coalition "Progressive Bulgaria." Now Radev is the prime minister, and his former vice president is trying to maintain the presidency for the same political camp. In the backdrop of the elections - the war in the Black Sea and drone attacks near Bulgaria's shores, so security is a key topic. In short: just as in neighboring Serbia the elections are a referendum on Vučić, so in Bulgaria - a referendum on Radev - will his political machine maintain the presidency while he himself has moved to the prime minister's position? In the photo, the acting president and leading candidate Iliana Iotova. #Bulgaria #Elections #Balkans #Balkanija (translated)
