Iliana Yotova wins Bulgaria's presidential runoff, the country's first elected woman president

Who's saying what

• Iliana Yotova

  She pledged to seek national consensus through dialogue and called for "a strong state with its own foreign policy in a strong Europe". She has opposed further Bulgarian military aid to Ukraine, says the war has no military solution and calls for a "coalition for peace".¹

• Andrey Gyurov

  The candidate of the liberal, pro-Western opposition conceded: "this is how the Bulgarian citizens have voted", and said the result must be accepted.¹

• The European Commission

  President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Yotova and said she looked forward to working together on security and defence, competitiveness and energy independence: "For a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe."¹

• Observers cited by AP

  Her win keeps the presidency with the governing majority: Radev's Progressive Bulgaria, which endorsed her, holds 131 of 240 seats in parliament. Observers warned this concentration of power could weaken checks and balances.¹

What's next

Yotova's five-year term begins in January 2027; AP gives 22 January for the inauguration. The presidency is largely ceremonial: the president commands the armed forces, can veto laws, signs treaties and appoints ambassadors, but major policy goes through parliament.¹²

The full story

Bulgaria has elected Iliana Yotova president. The acting head of state won the 1 November runoff with 57.57% against Andrey Gyurov, the candidate of the liberal, pro-Western opposition, who took 39.48% and conceded. She becomes the first woman elected to the office. Yotova, a former TV journalist and Socialist MEP who served two terms as Rumen Radev's vice president, wants a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine and better relations with Russia while keeping the country on its European path. Turnout was low.

checked Nov 2, 2026