By — Veselin Toshkov, Associated Press Veselin Toshkov, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/initial-results-suggest-iliana-yotova-wins-runoff-to-become-bulgarias-1st-elected-female-president Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Initial results suggest Iliana Yotova wins runoff to become Bulgaria's 1st elected female president World Nov 2, 2026 3:44 PM EST SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Acting President Iliana Yotova is the apparent winner of Bulgaria's presidential runoff, initial results of the vote count on Sunday showed, as former interim Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov conceded defeat. According to the count by several polling agencies, Yotova received 58% of the vote. If confirmed by official results, she would become Bulgaria's first elected female head of state. Gyurov, backed by reformist pro-Western opposition parties, is said to be trailing at around 38%. Gyurov conceded defeat saying that "this is how the Bulgarian citizens have voted," and added that the results had to be accepted as they stood. Official results were not expected before Monday. The vote was the first major test for Prime Minister Rumen Radev's Moscow-friendly Progressive Bulgaria party, which endorsed Yotova. In…
Initial results suggest Iliana Yotova wins runoff to become Bulgaria's 1st elected female president
In short
Acting President Iliana Yotova secured roughly 58% of the runoff vote, prompting opponent Andrey Gyurov to concede ahead of official tallies. The victory ensures executive alignment with parliament after former President Rumen Radev's party won an outright legislative majority in April. Although the presidency holds no executive powers, Yotova will command the armed forces, appoint ambassadors, sign international treaties, and wield legislative veto authority.
Key points
- The election outcome maintains an alignment between the ceremonial presidency and the Mos…: The election outcome maintains an alignment between the ceremonial presidency and the Moscow-friendly parliamentary majority.
- Yotova plans to pursue an independent foreign policy favoring diplomatic negotiations in…: Yotova plans to pursue an independent foreign policy favoring diplomatic negotiations in Ukraine and an end to Russian sanctions.
- The Bulgarian president serves a five-year term with authority to veto laws, command the…: The Bulgarian president serves a five-year term with authority to veto laws, command the military, and sign treaties.