Bulgaria schedules presidential vote for October 25

The Bulgarian National Assembly announced that the presidential election will be held on October 25, marking the first nationwide ballot since the ruling party's sweeping victory in April. While the presidency is mostly symbolic, the office holder commands the military, can veto legislation and ratify international agreements. The governing centre-left Progressive Bulgarian party, led by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, has thrown its support behind Iliana Yotova, the current vice president who served alongside Radev for nine years.

Radev himself stepped down from the presidency after two terms to become prime minister. This election will be a key test of the party's ability to extend its dominance beyond the parliamentary arena. Should Yotova win, both the presidency and the government would remain under the same political alliance. If no candidate reaches an absolute majority, a runoff is scheduled for November 1.