The campaign team of Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev in Burgas region is pressing for a debate with Iliana Yotova before the run-off, regional campaign coordinator Dobromir Gyulev told Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) in Burgas. Gyurov has already invited Yotova, but it is not clear whether she will accept.

In Sunday's first round, exit polls gave Yotova about 35% and Gyurov about 32.5%. Agencies estimated turnout at about 22%. On 1 November, Gyurov and Kandev will face Yotova and Kiril Valchev in a run-off.

Earlier report: Yotova and Gyurov go to run-off on 1 November with lowest turnout since 1989

Gyulev, a former regional governor, says that if Yotova agrees, the debate will be the biggest event before the run-off. He says such a debate should have taken place before the first round. More people would then have voted with better information, and turnout might have been different.

"We, as candidates in this election, cannot be angry with citizens for not turning out in large numbers to vote," Gyulev said. He said people had not seen the two candidates argue in the open.

In the city of Burgas, Gyurov and Kandev scored close to the national average. In the region's smaller municipalities, Yotova and Valchev lead by a clear margin.

Gyulev says he is not surprised. He says people in Burgas voted calmly and according to their conscience, so the result in the city matches the national one.

He gave two reasons for the differences in the smaller municipalities. In some, most voters back parties with no candidates of their own. He said they were not motivated, and turnout there is quite low. In others, local authorities are closely tied to the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party, and he says voters are more motivated because local officials encourage them.

The ticket's message will stay the same until the run-off, Gyulev said. It stands for a clear position for Bulgaria and for security through the country's place in the EU and NATO. He said it will not spread needless or unfounded fear, but will make clear what Gyurov can do as president within his powers.

Gyulev says the core of the campaign is the argument that Gyurov will act as a check on the concentration of power. He believes democracy in Bulgaria is not among the best established, and that it is "quite risky to hand absolutely all power to one person". He does not expect Yotova, as president, to be an alternative to Progressive Bulgaria in the executive and legislative branches.

The initiative committee backing Gyurov and Kandev will ask voters from all parties for their votes in the run-off, rather than appeal to party headquarters.