For the 7^th time in its democratic history, Bulgaria is electing the President of the republic. The President is elected by direct popular vote for a term of five years, and can only be re-elected once.

Today is the second round of the election for head of state, in which voters can choose between two presidential and vice-presidential pairs, nominated by nomination committees – incumbent President Rumen Radev with running mate Iliana Yotova, and Anastas Gerdzhikov with running mate Nevyana Miteva.

What powers does the head of state have?

Under the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria he is called upon to unite the nation and to represent it in international relations. The President has the right to address the nation and the National Assembly, and to mediate in the formation of a government after the Members of Parliament are elected.

Other important presidential powers include scheduling elections for Members of Parliament, convening a Grand National Assembly for amendments to the Constitution, scheduling elections for Members of the European Parliament. The President also appoints and dismisses the heads of diplomatic missions and permanent representatives of Bulgaria in international organizations at the proposal of the Council of Ministers; he appoints and dismisses senior civil servants.

As Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Republic of Bulgaria, the President appoints and dismisses the higher command of the armed forces. He presides over the Consultative National Security Council, and can declare a state of war, martial law or a state of emergency, total or partial mobilization.

Even though it does not belong to any of the three branches - legislative, executive and judicial – the presidential institution has substantial political leverage for tipping the political scales in one direction or another. Practice has shown multiple times over the past 30 years how the head of state can affect the legislative process, especially in cases when there is no regular government or parliament, the responsibility for state governance is in his hands, and he becomes the most empowered political figure in the country.

The President is empowered to conclude international agreements on behalf of the state, and also to endorse changes in the borders of the administrative- territorial centres, at the proposal by the government.

Under the Constitution, the President awards orders and medals to prominent figures – both Bulgarian and foreign nationals.

In exercising his presidential functions, the President is assisted by a Vice President, elected directly by the people on the same candidate list as the President. The Vice President has the powers to grant asylum, exercise the right of pardon, grant and restore Bulgarian citizenship, as well as release from and deprive of Bulgarian citizenship. However, the Vice President does not assume the functions of President in his absence. At the same time, he can take office as President in the event of the premature termination of the presidential term of office, until an election for President takes place.

Editing by Darina Grigorova