Bulgaria to Be Led by a Woman for the First Time in History

November 03, 2026. 20:25 • 2 min

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Bulgaria to Be Led by a Woman for the First Time in History
Photo credit: Radio Bulgaria

SOFIA, November 3. /Dunyo IA/. Iliana Iotova has won the second round of Bulgaria’s presidential election, becoming the first woman elected president of the country, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing the Central Election Commission (CEC).

With 100% of polling station protocols counted, Iliana Iotova and her vice-presidential running mate, Kiril Valchev, secured 57.6% of the vote. Their opponents, former acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev, received approximately 39.5%.

The second round took place on November 1, after none of the candidates secured an absolute majority in the first round on October 25. At that stage, Iotova received 34.76% of the vote, while Gyurov secured 31.95%. Voter turnout in the second round was approximately 29%.

Before the election, Iliana Iotova served as vice president and had been acting as head of state since January 2026, following the resignation of President Rumen Radev, who stepped down to lead his party, Progressive Bulgaria, in the parliamentary elections.

The newly elected president is expected to officially take office in January 2027.

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Author of the material

Samandar Xodjiyev

samandar@dunyo.info

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