Exit polls project Iotova win in Bulgaria presidential run-off

Iliana Jotova has come first in the opening round of Bulgaria’s presidential election, according to exit polls, setting up a close run-off with former caretaker prime minister Andrej Gjoerov on 1 November.

The polls put Jotova, Bulgaria’s interim president, on 35 to 36.5 per cent of the vote. Gjoerov was second with 32.2 to 32.5 per cent.

Jotova supports dialogue with Russia and opposes military assistance to Ukraine. Gjoerov is regarded as pro-Western.

Update

Iliana Iotova is projected to win Bulgaria’s presidential run-off, with two exit polls putting her ticket ahead of its rival by between 6.3 and 9.1 percentage points. The figures are projections, not official results.

Bulgarian National Radio reported that Myara’s exit poll gave Iotova and running mate Kiril Valchev 51% of the vote, against 44.7% for Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev. Alpha Research put the tickets at 52.5% and 43.4%, respectively. The polls were conducted as of 8pm on 1 November [2].

The Nieuws.nl report said three exit polls projected Iotova at 50.7% to 52.5% and Gyurov at 43.4% to 44%. BNR’s report confirms results from two polling agencies, but does not give figures from a third [3].

Iotova is described by Nieuws.nl as interim president and as favouring dialogue with Russia while opposing military aid to Ukraine. Gyurov, a banker and former interim prime minister, is described as pro-Western [3].