Acting President Iliana Iotova Wins Bulgaria’s Presidential Runoff
Acting President Iliana Iotova wins Bulgaria’s presidential runoff with 58% of the vote, as former PM Andrey Gyurov concedes defeat.
POLICY WIRE — Sofia, Bulgaria — Acting President Iliana Iotova secured a decisive win in Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, capturing 58 percent of the vote as her opponent, former Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, conceded defeat.
The runoff held on 1 November followed an inconclusive first round on 25 October, where Iotova earned 35 percent and Gyurov 32 percent, prompting a second‑stage contest because no candidate achieved a majority.
Iotova, who has advocated dialogue with Russia and opposed military aid to Ukraine, is the incumbent who has been serving as acting president since 2024.
Gyurov, a former interim prime minister, stepped down after the exit polls and official counts confirmed Iotova’s lead, reinforcing the existing political dynamics in Bulgaria.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
