Initial calculations by polling agencies placed acting President Iliana Yotova ahead in Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, and challenger Andrey Gyurov conceded. The election commission’s final result was still pending. Confirmation would make Yotova the country’s first directly elected woman president, after a campaign marked by differences over Russia and support for Ukraine.
Iliana Yotova emerged ahead in Bulgaria’s presidential runoff as her opponent Andrey Gyurov accepted defeat. Polling agencies’ parallel counts put the acting president at about 58% and the former caretaker prime minister at about 38%. These calculations remained preliminary: the election commission’s final result was not expected before Monday.[1], [2]
Both candidates advanced from the October first round. Participation in the runoff was estimated at 27% to 29%, compared with roughly 23% earlier. Yotova had taken over the presidency on an acting basis after Rumen Radev resigned in January. Radev subsequently won a parliamentary election. Confirmation of her lead would make her Bulgaria’s first woman directly elected president.[1]
The presidency has a 5-year term and a 2-term limit. Its powers include military command, vetoes over some legislation and functions concerning treaties and ambassadors. The campaign also exposed differences over Russia and Ukraine: Yotova favoured dialogue with Russia, while Gyurov supported Ukraine and drew backing from pro-Western parties.[1]
