Iliana Yotova and her running mate, Kiril Valchev, have won Bulgaria’s presidential election in a decisive victory, securing 57.58% of the vote in the runoff. Their opponents, Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev, received 39.47%. Yotova is set to become Bulgaria’s first elected female president.
According to Bulgaria’s Central Election Commission (CEC), with 99.95% of polling station protocols processed, Yotova and Valchev received 1,093,564 votes, compared with 749,543 votes for Gyurov and Kandev.
A total of 2.95% of voters, or 56,070 people, selected the “I do not support anyone” option. The figures were published at 7:30 a.m. local time.
Speaking at a press conference following the second round, Yotova thanked Bulgarian voters who participated in the election, including those who did not support her candidacy, saying that every vote deserved to be heard.
She expressed particular gratitude to Rumen Radev for his support throughout the campaign.
“Dear Mr. Radev, we would not have been able to accomplish this without you. You never wavered in your support for me,” Yotova said.
Yotova said voters had rejected what she described as an aggressive campaign by the opposing ticket and instead supported a political approach focused on cooperation and finding solutions.
“We ran a positive campaign. We did not allow ourselves to use hate speech, confrontation or division, but we did not receive the same in return. We spoke with Bulgarian citizens about incomes and peace, and they understood our message,” she said.
Valchev: Bulgarians Abroad Will Be a Priority
Kiril Valchev said their ticket had received significantly greater support in the second round. He also thanked Bulgarians living abroad who had voted for them, promising that the diaspora would be among his priorities as vice president.
“One of my other important responsibilities as vice president will be to represent our country better around the world,” Valchev said.
Valchev, who until recently served as director-general of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA), also highlighted the importance of engaging younger generations and listening to their ideas for the country’s future.
“We must make sure our children stay in Bulgaria and that those who have left return,” he added.
Radev: Bulgaria Has Chosen the Future
Rumen Radev, who attended the press conference at the National Palace of Culture alongside Yotova and Valchev, said Bulgarians had chosen the future over the past, emphasizing peace, stability, normality and a clear direction for the country.
“We are bringing a difficult election year to a close, but the direction is clear. There will be no return to the shadows of the past and the transition period,” Radev said.
He added that the election results confirmed the direction of the government’s policies and encouraged further reforms. Congratulating Yotova, he expressed confidence that she would serve Bulgaria with distinction.
Gyurov Concedes Defeat, Calls for Unity
Defeated presidential candidate Andrey Gyurov acknowledged the results, admitting that he had not expected such a significant margin.
“The result is disappointing for our supporters. We did not expect such a difference, but we accept the results as they are, no matter how surprising they may be. This is how Bulgarian citizens voted,” Gyurov said.
Despite the defeat, he described the campaign as having established a strong political platform that could serve as a foundation for future efforts.
Gyurov called for national unity rather than division, emphasizing that Bulgarians have far more in common than what separates them.
He highlighted the importance of building a strong Bulgaria and a dignified state where citizens can feel confident about their children’s future.
Vice-presidential candidate Georgi Kandev also congratulated the winners and urged Bulgarian citizens to closely monitor whether the promises made during the campaign are fulfilled.
The election marks a significant moment in Bulgaria’s political landscape, with Yotova preparing to take office as the country’s first elected female president.
