Symbolic imageIotova wins Bulgarian presidential runoff, exit polls show
Incumbent Iliana Iotova won Bulgaria's presidential runoff on Sunday, exit polls show, beating pro-Western challenger Andrey Gyurov.
Polling institutes put Iotova at 57.4 to 58.2 percent and Gyurov, a former caretaker prime minister backed by the pro-Western opposition, at 38.6 to 39.6 percent. Iotova becomes the first woman elected president by popular vote. Gyurov accepted "the results as they are", while Prime Minister Rumen Radev, whose Progressive Bulgaria party backed Iotova, said Bulgarians chose "a stable and clear perspective".
Peace versus pressure on Moscow
Iotova campaigned as a "president of peace", arguing that peace can come only through negotiations and that more weapons for Ukraine bring more destruction. Gyurov demanded that Russia end its aggression and said: "Let us name the country from which the threats come."
Black Sea drone strikes
Drones hit four merchant ships off Bulgaria on 6 and 13 October, leaving 21 missing, according to Le Monde. Radev said the attacks serve Moscow's interests but named no culprit for lack of proof, and the FT reports the government took no steps in response.
Low turnout
Turnout was 29 percent according to the electoral commission, after a record-low 23 percent in the first round on 25 October, when Iotova led with 34.8 percent to 32. Analyst Vessela Tcherneva said the mass protesters who toppled the previous government stayed away.