Bulgaria's incumbent President Ilijana Jotowa appears headed for victory in the country's presidential runoff, according to initial forecasts. Exit polls indicated she won up to 58% of the vote, while former interim Prime Minister Andrej Gjurow received up to 39%. An official result is not expected until the next day.
Turnout in the runoff was estimated at about 27% to 29%, slightly higher than the 23% recorded in the first round on Oct. 25, which the report described as a historic low.
If the forecasts are confirmed, Jotowa would become the first woman elected president in Bulgaria. She took office automatically in her previous role as vice president after former President Rumen Radew resigned this year; Radew is now prime minister.
Jotowa is running as an independent candidate with the support of Radew's center-left party. The report described her as a Russia-friendly politician. The 62-year-old supports Bulgaria's EU and NATO membership but rejects military aid for Ukraine. During the campaign she presented herself as a "President of Peace" who wants to enter into dialogue with Moscow.
Her challenger, Gjurow, is a former deputy central bank chief who served as interim prime minister this year. He has frequently made clear that he firmly backs Ukraine.
In Bulgaria's political system, the head of state has mainly representative duties, though the president can veto legislation and is commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Sources: Tagesschau.