Bulgarians want and expect a debate between the two main presidential candidates, Iliana Yotova and Gyurov, pollster Vanya Georgieva of Alpha Research told Bulgarian National Radio (BNR). She is not surprised by Yotova's result in Burgas and the region, and says it repeats the national trend.

Georgieva says the campaign debates have so far been left to the initiative committees, and they now have to move to the political level. In her view, the candidates must state their positions on the main dividing lines: national security, domestic policy, finance and policy.

"The debate should happen if the two rivals want to win more support," the pollster said.

She said Black Sea security matters to voters. "We have seen that candidates in the campaign who take a clear position on Black Sea security win more support," Georgieva said. She thinks the candidate of the ruling parties was losing support because he had no clear view on the issue, and that positions on it are now getting sharper.

Georgieva also commented on remarks by Rumen Radev earlier today that on Sunday the choice is between peace and war. She says this is a suggestion that plays on polarisation.

The pollster thinks this week will show whether the Gyurov and Kandev ticket can unite a wider pro-European majority behind it.

The other question, Georgieva says, is whether Yotova and Valchev can mobilise supporters of Progressive Bulgaria who have turned away and did not vote.