Yotova wins Bulgarian presidential election
The former acting president is set to become Bulgaria’s first elected female president, according to almost final results.
Follow-up to: Bulgarians vote in tense second round Sunday, 1 November 2026, 07:27
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Iliana Yotova has won the second round of Bulgaria’s presidential election. The result follows a first round without a majority and gives her a mandate in a politically divided country that has seen frequently unstable governments in recent years.
Bulgaria’s electoral commission reported on Monday that Yotova was leading Andrey Gyurov, with almost all polling-station records now processed. The commission’s official results page records the second round as having taken place on 1 November; Bulgarian public broadcaster reported that 99.95 per cent of the protocols had been processed.
Yotova was acting president until recently. With her election, she will, according to Bulgarian public broadcaster, become the first woman to be directly elected president of the country. According to the electoral commission, Gyurov was her opponent in the second round.
The president has less executive power in Bulgaria than the government, but the office is politically prominent and plays a role in appointing caretaker cabinets. The result therefore cannot be viewed separately from the recent period of changes of government and early parliamentary elections.
The campaign focused, among other issues, on the war in Ukraine, relations with Russia and Bulgaria’s future direction. These issues are relevant to the European Union because Bulgaria lies on the Black Sea, is an EU member and plays a role in regional security and energy policy.
Turnout was low, according to international reporting. Low turnout may prompt debate about the breadth of Yotova’s social mandate. The precise final figures may still be established after all protocols have been checked.
The election does not automatically change the composition of the Bulgarian parliament. The president can, however, influence the political agenda, appointments and the way any government crisis is managed.
For the Netherlands, the main question is whether the new president can help bring stability to an EU member state on the eastern border. The initial signs point to a clear winner, but the political consequences will depend on her relationship with the government, parliament and political parties.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Yotova won the second round according to almost final results.
- The presidential election took place on 1 November 2026.
- In Bulgaria, the president has less executive power than the government, but plays a role in state affairs and the formation of cabinets.
Left
Arguments The result could offer stability if Yotova opts for social cohesion, European cooperation and the protection of democratic institutions.
Values Inclusive democracy, social security and the rule of law.
Consequences From this perspective, greater attention to social legitimacy and public services is desirable.
Centre
Arguments The election provides clarity, but lasting stability will depend on cooperation between the president, government and parliament.
Values Institutional continuity, compromise and governability.
Consequences The balance of power in the coming period and the low turnout matter more than the symbolism of the victory alone.
Right
Arguments The new president should focus above all on strengthening national security, border protection and economic predictability.
Values Stability, sovereignty and order.
Consequences From this perspective, firmer security and economic policies deserve priority over broad institutional reforms.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The result and Yotova’s status as Bulgaria’s first directly elected female president have been confirmed by Bulgarian and international sources. The description of her powers and the political context is cautiously worded.
- confirmed Iliana Yotova won the second round of the presidential election held on 1 November 2026. — The electoral commission and Bulgarian public broadcaster report her victory. source
- confirmed Yotova will become Bulgaria’s first directly elected female president. — Reported by Bulgarian National Radio and AP. source
- confirmed Turnout was low. — Mentioned in international reporting on the result. source
Editor's note
The victory has been confirmed by Bulgaria’s electoral commission and public broadcaster. The final figures and political consequences may still be established in greater detail.Sources
- Iliana Iotova is Bulgaria’s 7th president and first woman elected to the post — Bulgarian National Radio
- Election results, second round — Central Election Commission of Bulgaria
- Initial results suggest Yotova wins runoff to become Bulgaria’s first elected female president — Associated Press
The story so far
- Sunday, 1 November 2026, 07:27 Bulgarians vote in tense second round
- Sunday, 1 November 2026, 20:16 Exit polls point to Yotova victory in Bulgaria
- Monday, 2 November 2026, 11:16 Yotova wins Bulgarian presidential election (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „bulgarije iliana yotova”
- NU.nl — „bulgarije iliana yotova”
- De Telegraaf — „bulgarije iliana yotova”