Bulgarian President Radev wins second term on anti-corruption ticket

A combination picture shows incumbent President Rumen Radev and presidential candidate Anastas Gerdzhikov as they arrive at the Bulgarian National Television for an election debate ahead of the second round of the presidential election, in Sofia, Bulgaria, November 18, 2021. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev won a second term in office by a wide margin on Sunday as voters in the European Union's poorest country backed his strong anti-corruption message, exit polls showed.

Radev, 58, defeated his challenger Anastas Gerdzhikov, also 58, winning 66% to 32% in the presidential run-off after nearly winning outright in the first round on Nov 14, according to exit polls that also registered a record low voter turnout.