Iliana Iotova wins Bulgarian presidential runoff election
Incumbent Iliana Iotova has won Bulgaria's presidential runoff election with 58% of the vote, becoming the nation's first elected female president.
Incumbent President Iliana Iotova has secured victory in Bulgaria's presidential runoff election, positioning her to become the country's first elected female president. Initial results and exit polls indicate Iotova won approximately 58 percent of the vote, defeating pro-Western former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov, who received 39 percent.
The election highlighted deep domestic divisions over foreign policy and Black Sea security amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Iotova campaigned on favoring dialogue with Moscow and opposing military aid to Ukraine, whereas Gyurov urged an increased NATO presence in the region and closer ties with Western allies. The runoff was triggered after none of the initial 27 candidates achieved an absolute majority in the first round.
Sources: France24, Sweden Herald, ORF, The Journal, Der Standard
Sources
- ORF — Stichwahl um Präsidentenamt in Bulgarien begonnen
- France24 — Bulgarians vote in presidential runoff amid security tensions in the Black Sea
- Der Standard — Bulgarien: Russlandfreundliche Präsidentin Jotowa liegt klar vorn
- The Journal — Bulgaria's incumbent president wins runoff election, exit polls show
- Sweden Herald — Iliana Jotova wins Bulgaria’s presidential election with 58% of the vote
Earlier coverage
- Nov 2, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCIliana Iotova secures victory in Bulgarian presidential runoff