Iliana Yotova wins Bulgaria’s presidential runoff with 58% in initial counts
Acting President Iliana Yotova received 58% in initial counts of Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, against about 38% for former interim prime minister Andrey Gyurov, according to polling agencies cited by the Associated Press and Al Jazeera. Gyurov conceded; official results were expected on Monday. If confirmed, Yotova will become Bulgaria’s first elected female head of state.
Bottom line — Yotova’s result gives Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s governing camp the presidency as well as its parliamentary majority.
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The Associated Press reports that Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party won 131 of 240 parliamentary seats in April.
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DW says the Ukraine war and security concerns over drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea were central to the campaign.
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Yotova has opposed military aid to Ukraine and called for negotiations with Russia, according to DW and Al Jazeera.
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Gyurov, backed by pro-Western opposition parties, criticised Yotova for not directly blaming Russia for the Black Sea attacks, DW reports.
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Al Jazeera reports exit-poll turnout of about 27–29%; the outlet put first-round turnout at 23%.
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Bulgaria’s president has largely ceremonial duties but can veto legislation and leads the armed forces, according to DW.