Bulgaria Elects First Female President As Russia-Friendly Iotova Wins Runoff

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

SOFIA/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Bulgaria’s acting President Iliana Iotova has won Sunday’s presidential runoff, becoming the country’s first directly elected female head of state amid mounting tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine and deadly attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea.

Iotova, 62, who favors dialogue with Moscow and opposes further military aid to Ukraine, received nearly 58 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results released by Bulgaria’s Central Election Commission, with almost all polling-station protocols processed.

Her challenger, former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, 50, who campaigned for stronger ties with the European Union and the NATO military alliance, conceded defeat after receiving about 39 percent of the vote. Voter turnout was estimated at just 27 percent, reflecting what analysts described as growing political disillusionment and voter fatigue.

A jubilant Iotova appeared alongside Prime Minister Rumen Radev to celebrate her victory, saying her campaign had focused on “incomes, peace and the challenges that lie ahead.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who heads the European Union’s executive arm, congratulated Iotova on her victory, saying she looked forward to continued cooperation on security, defense, competitiveness and energy independence. “For a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe,” von der Leyen wrote on social media platform X.

BULGARIA’S FIRST ELECTED FEMALE PRESIDENT

Iotova had already become Bulgaria’s first female head of state in January, when she succeeded President Rumen Radev following his resignation. Sunday’s victory gives her a direct electoral mandate.

Radev, who resigned as president in January to enter parliamentary politics, became prime minister in May after his Progressive Bulgaria coalition won an absolute majority in April’s parliamentary elections, securing 131 of the 240 seats.

He backed Iotova’s presidential candidacy and portrayed the election as a choice between peace and war.

“Today, the Bulgarian people have chosen the future over the past,” Radev said after the vote. “They have opted for normalcy and a stable, clear path forward.”

The former president has advocated a more restrained approach to the conflict in Ukraine, opposing policies he believes risk drawing Bulgaria deeper into confrontation with Moscow.

Iotova, a former journalist and member of the European Parliament, has similarly emphasized diplomacy and dialogue while arguing that Bulgaria must defend its national interests.

DEADLY BLACK SEA ATTACKS

The election took place amid growing security concerns along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, where attacks on commercial vessels in October left at least two people dead and 21 missing, with fears that more seafarers may have died.

The recent attacks began on October 5, when two people reportedly died in a shipboard fire near Romanian waters. A day later, drone strikes hit two merchant vessels off Bulgaria, sinking one and leaving its crew missing, while two sailors aboard the other ship were injured, officials said.

On October 28, three naval drones struck the container ship Contship Jet off Bulgaria’s northeastern coast. All 18 crew members were rescued before the vessel sank.

At least six vessels were attacked off Bulgaria during October, prompting Sofia to seek additional NATO assistance to strengthen maritime security.

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE DIVISIONS

Bulgarian authorities have not established who carried out the attacks, although Prime Minister Radev said their outcome “benefits the Russian Federation.” Moscow has denied involvement.

Both presidential candidates condemned the attacks and called for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine, but differed over Bulgaria’s broader response to Russia’s invasion.

Gyurov supported closer cooperation with Kyiv and stronger commitments to European security. During his time as caretaker prime minister, he signed a security cooperation agreement with Ukraine.

“I want Bulgaria to have a voice of its own in Europe. A reliable NATO ally that defends its interests through preparedness, strong diplomacy and a clear position,” Gyurov said during the election campaign.

Iotova, however, emphasized Bulgaria’s independent foreign policy and national sovereignty, arguing that peace in Ukraine could only be achieved through negotiations.

BULGARIA’S POLITICAL FUTURE

After voting Sunday, she said she wanted Bulgaria to be strong within a strong Europe while remaining sovereign in its decisions.

Although Bulgaria’s presidency is largely ceremonial, the head of state has an important public voice on foreign policy, national security and the country’s international relationships.

The president also serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, can veto legislation and exercises constitutional powers over diplomatic appointments and other state matters.

Iotova’s victory places both Bulgaria’s presidency and government in the hands of political allies, with Prime Minister Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria coalition already controlling parliament.

Political observers have warned that the concentration of power could weaken institutional checks and balances, although Iotova and Radev have presented their cooperation as an opportunity for greater political stability.

For Bulgaria, a Black Sea nation of about 6.4 million people with longstanding historical and cultural ties to Russia, the election underscored competing visions of its place within the Western alliance.