Iliana Iotova won Bulgaria's presidential runoff
Acting President Iliana Iotova won Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, becoming the country’s first elected female president. The Central Election Commission reported she received 57.6% of the vote, against 39.5% for opponent Andrey Gyurov, who conceded. Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party backed Iotova and holds a parliamentary majority. She is due to take office January 22.
More context
Iliana Iotova, Bulgaria’s acting president, won Sunday’s presidential runoff, becoming the country’s first elected female head of state. Central Election Commission results gave her 57.6% of the vote and opponent Andrey Gyurov 39.5%. Gyurov conceded, and Meduza reported runoff turnout was 27%.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party endorsed Iotova and won 131 of 240 seats in April’s parliamentary election, securing a majority. Observers have noted that Iotova’s victory will keep the presidency within the governing majority. Iotova took over as acting president in January, after Radev stepped down to run for parliament, and is due to take office on January 22. Bulgaria’s president has a largely ceremonial role but can veto legislation and leads the armed forces.
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Reporting
- European Interest — Iliana Iotova becomes Bulgaria's first elected female President
- Al Jazeera — Bulgaria has its first elected female president | Elections News | Al Jazeera
- NBC News — Iliana Yotova wins runoff to become Bulgaria’s first elected female president
- Modern Diplomacy — Who Is Iliana Iotova, Bulgaria's First Elected Female President? - Modern Diplomacy
- Meduza — Bulgaria set to elect its first female president as Russia-friendly Iliana Yotova wins runoff — Meduza
- cphpost.dk — Iliana Iotova elected Bulgaria's first female president - The Copenhagen Post
Verifier’s note
The Copenhagen Post, European Interest, Al Jazeera, NBC News, Modern Diplomacy, and Meduza all report that Iliana Iotova won Bulgaria’s presidential election and became its first elected female president. The Copenhagen Post attributes its report to Reuters, while Meduza identifies its source as the Associated Press.