Yotova set to become Bulgaria’s first female president

Bulgaria’s acting President Iliana Yotova is heading for a decisive victory in the presidential run-off, with preliminary exit polls showing her securing around 58% of the vote against 38% for her rival, former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov.

If confirmed, the 62-year-old Yotova will become Bulgaria’s first elected female president.

Yotova’s rival, former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov, conceded defeat, saying voters’ decision must be respected. Official results are expected after the completion of the counting process.

Yotova was backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party, which secured 131 of the 240 seats in the April parliamentary election. Her victory would bring the presidency under the same political camp as the government, raising concerns among observers about the concentration of power and institutional checks and balances.

Yotova is expected to maintain Bulgaria’s European Union ties while seeking closer relations with Russia and supporting the removal of sanctions against Moscow. She and Radev have also called for a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine.

After casting her vote on Sunday, Yotova said she wanted a strong Bulgaria capable of making independent decisions and playing a stronger role internationally. She also called for national consensus through dialogue and proposed a security meeting involving the six Black Sea countries.

Although largely ceremonial, Bulgaria’s president is directly elected for a five-year term and serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The president can veto parliamentary legislation, sign international treaties and appoint ambassadors. A president can serve a maximum of two terms.