(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 25 SET - Today marked the beginning of Bulgaria's election campaign for the planned October 25 presidential election, when voters will cast ballots. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic in which the head of state has limited and largely ceremonial powers; however, the president is elected by universal suffrage. The term of office is five years and can only be renewed once. Yliana Yotova, the current head of state, is running in the upcoming election, supported by the newly formed "Progressive Bulgaria" (PB) party, which is led by current Prime Minister Rumen Radev. Radev unexpectedly resigned as head of state last January, handing over his duties to Vise President Yliana Yotova, in order to run in the April parliamentary elections. He promised an unwavering fight against corruption, nepotism, and oligarchy, and won a landslide victory with an absolute majority in parliament. Against this backdrop, polls indicate that Yliana Yotova will easily win. Yotova may win the first round if voter turnout exceeds 50% and she receives a majority of votes. Otherwise, she will face a runoff election a week later against Andrey Ghiurov, who is supported by the Democratic Party and the "We Continue the Change" (PP) liberals. According to polls, Kostadin Kostadinov, the leader of the nationalist "Vazrazhdane" ("Revival") party, ranks third. The remaining 24 presidential candidates—a record number in Bulgarian electoral history—have little chance of success. (ANSA).