www.gandul.ro/international/alegeri-prezidentiale-

Iliana Iotova is leading the Bulgarian presidential race with 52.5% of votes, while her opponent Andrey Gyurov has 43.4%. The low voter turnout of 23% reflects electoral fatigue and dissatisfaction with the political class. Iotova, a former journalist and vice president, is seen as a pro-Russian leader opposing arms supplies to Ukraine. Controversies arose over her pardoning a drug trafficker and accusations of using state resources for her campaign. The Central Electoral Commission cleared Prime Minister Rumen Radev of misconduct regarding campaign support for Iotova, despite legal prohibitions against using state resources for electoral purposes. Journalists have raised concerns about censorship during the campaign.