Bulgaria's Yotova secures decisive win in presidential runoff

Bulgaria's acting President Iliana Yotova has secured a decisive victory in Sunday's presidential runoff, initial results of the vote count showed.

Yotova, who opposes military aid to Ukraine and favors dialogue with Russia, received around 58% of the vote, according to estimates from several polling institutes.

Her rival, former interim Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, who was backed by pro-Western opposition parties, was projected to be trailing at around 38%.

If confirmed by official results, Yotova would become Bulgaria's first elected female head of state.

Although Bulgaria's presidency has largely ceremonial duties, the president serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and can appoint interim governments during political crises and veto legislation.

Electing the president through a direct vote also gives the office greater political authority.

Yotova, 62, is an ally of incumbent Prime Minister Rumen Radev.

She became interim president in January, when Radev stepped down to run for parliament, and was now seeking her own elected mandate.

After the projections were out, a jubilant Yotova declared victory, saying her message had focused on "incomes, peace and the challenges that lie ahead."

Gyurov conceded defeat saying that "this is how the Bulgarian citizens have voted," and added that the results had to be accepted as they stood.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Yotova.

"From security and defence to our competitiveness and energy independence, I look forward to continuing our joint work. For a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe," she said on X.

The war in Ukraine was a central issue in the election, with voters heading to the polls amid growing security concerns in the Black Sea, which borders Bulgaria, following a rise in drone attacks targeting commercial vessels.

Yotova presented herself as a "president of peace" who favors dialogue with Moscow.

In a TV debate before the runoff, Gyurov accused Yotova of avoiding direct criticism of Russia over the Black Sea attacks.

"Russia must stop its aggression so that the next steps can be taken. Let us name the country from which the threats are coming," he said.

In response, Yotova argued that "peace can come only through negotiations," and maintained that continued aid for Ukraine "leads only to more destruction and the deaths of many people on both sides."

If her victory is confirmed, Yotova is expected to pursue a similar approach to Prime Minister Rumen Radev — keeping Bulgaria on its European path while seeking closer ties with Russia and advocating the lifting of sanctions.

After casting her vote on Sunday, Yotava said she had voted for her country to become a "strong state within a strong Europe."

But she added that she wanted Bulgaria to have its own foreign policy and "backbone" when defending its national interest.

Gyurov, for his part, said he had voted for "a secure, stable and European Bulgaria."

"Let us choose the future, not the past," he said.

He has repeatedly voiced strong support for Ukraine and signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv during his premiership.