2026 Bulgarian presidential election explained

Country:Bulgaria
Type:presidential
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2021 Bulgarian general election
Previous Year:2021
Next Year:2031
Election Date:November 2026 (presumptive)
Map Size:250px
President
Before Election:Rumen Radev
Before Party:Independent politician

Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Bulgaria no later than the fall of 2026. Incumbent president Rumen Radev is not eligible to run for re-election, as he is limited to two terms in office.

Electoral system

The president of Bulgaria is elected through a two-round system; if no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the first round or a candidate receives a majority of the vote but voter turnout is below 50%, a second round run-off is held between the top two candidates.[1] No candidate has ever won in the first round. Since 2016 a none of the above option is also present on the ballot.[2] In order to stand as a candidate a person must be a Bulgarian citizen holding no other nationality, be at least 40 years of age by election day and have resided in the country for the previous five years.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bulgaria. IFES Election Guide.
  2. Web site: Bulgaria's 2016 presidential elections: Voters to have ‘I don’t support anyone’ option. Sofia Globe. 9 October 2016.
  3. Web site: Constitution. Parliament of Bulgaria.