Yotova wins Bulgaria’s presidential election with 57.66% of the vote

Bulgaria’s acting President Iliana Yotova is winning the second round of the presidential election, taking 57.66% of the vote after nearly 100% of protocols were processed.

This is reported by the BBC.

Her main rival, Andrey Gyurov, a supporter of cooperation with NATO, is receiving 39.38%. According to preliminary data after counting 99.68% of ballots, the results stand at 57.6% and 39.3% respectively. Gyurov has already conceded defeat and said that “hard times” await Bulgaria.

Yotova opposes military aid to Ukraine and criticizes anti-Russian sanctions. On the eve of the election, she called for direct negotiations between the European Union and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Responding to a question about whether Ukraine should give up territories, Yotova said that “this is a matter for negotiations.” In her speech at the United Nations General Assembly, she also asserted that there is no “military solution” to the war in Ukraine and that sanctions have not produced results.

Yotova twice served as vice president of Bulgaria under President Rumen Radev, who currently serves as prime minister. In January 2026, Radev resigned early in order to take part in parliamentary elections, after which Yotova temporarily assumed his post.

In the first round of the presidential election, none of the candidates received the required number of votes. At that time, Yotova was supported by 34.76% of voters, and Gyurov by 31.94%. Both rounds were held with low turnout: 23% in the first and 27% in the second.

Yotova’s candidacy was supported by Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party, which won an absolute majority in the parliamentary elections in April. As AP notes, Yotova’s victory will allow Radev’s ruling majority to retain control over the presidential post.

At the same time, Yotova supports maintaining Bulgaria’s membership in the EU and NATO. She is expected to continue the country’s pro-European course.

If the voting results are confirmed, Yotova will become the first woman in Bulgaria’s history to be elected president of the country.

Radev holds a position similar to Yotova’s on the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia.

Earlier, Marine Le Pen, who was leading in the polls ahead of France’s spring presidential election, promised to stop aid to Ukraine if she won and to prevent its accession to the European Union.