Exit polls in Bulgaria say conservative ruling party candidate Rosen Plevneliev has won the country's runoff presidential election.

Surveys by several polling organizations give Plevneliev about 54 percent of the vote. Socialist candidate Ivaylo Kalfin has about 46 percent.

Both candidates finished on top in last week's first round, but without enough votes to avoid a runoff.

Plevneliev is a former Bulgarian public works minister. Bulgarians credit him with updating and modernizing the nation's crumbling roads and infrastructure.

The winner of the election will take office in January, replacing President Georgy Parvanov, who is barred from a third five-year term.

Bulgaria's presidency is mostly a ceremonial job. Its authority includes command of the military and making some legislative decisions.