Iliana Yotova change into Bulgaria’s first elected feminine president

Iliana Yotova has made historical past after successful Bulgaria’s presidential runoff election to change into the nation’s first lady elected to the best political workplace.

The 62-year-old performing president secured 57.58 per cent of the votes, based on near-final outcomes launched by the Central Election Commission on Monday, November 2, with 99.95 per cent of polling station protocols processed.

Her ticket with operating mate Kiril Valchev defeated the opposition pairing of former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev, who secured 39.47 per cent of the votes.

Yotova had already been serving as Bulgaria’s president since January 2026, following the resignation of former President Rumen Radev, who stepped right down to pursue a parliamentary profession.

She beforehand served as vice-president beneath Radev for 2 consecutive phrases after their elections in 2016 and 2021.

Before turning into president, Yotova served as a member of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2017 and was elected vice-president alongside Radev in 2016. The pair have been re-elected in 2021. She beforehand labored as a journalist at Bulgarian National Television.

Her victory marks a historic milestone for Bulgaria, which has by no means earlier than elected a lady to its presidency.