In brief
Bulgarian voters on 1 November chose Iliana Iotova as the country’s first woman president, defeating Andrey Gurov in a two‑round contest. Iotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev thanked supporters and highlighted their positive campaign, whereas Prime Minister Rumen Radev praised the outcome for peace and stability. Turnout among Bulgarian citizens abroad in North Macedonia and Romania surpassed first‑round figures, indicating increased engagement in the election.
After polling stations in Bulgaria closed on Sunday, election officials declared Iliana Iotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev the winners of the presidential runoff, defeating opponents Andrey Gurov and Georgi Kandev. The decision marked the first time a woman would hold Bulgaria’s highest office. The announcement came from BTA, which provided a statement from the victorious ticket and reported on voter turnout abroad.
Reactions to the Victory
BTA reported that Iotova issued a statement on the evening of 1 November, thanking all voters, including those who had not supported her ticket. She noted, “Their vote means a lot, because we will listen to what they have told us,” and added that she had run a positive campaign. She also criticized an alleged attack strategy used by the opposition: “I cannot explain who misled Mr Andrey Gurov into waging this attack campaign against our presidential ticket.”
“I cannot explain who misled Mr Andrey Gurov into waging this attack campaign against our presidential ticket,” Iotova said in her statement.
Valchev echoed his partner’s sentiment. BTA quoted him speaking to reporters after the runoff, saying, “Twice as many voters supported Bulgaria having its first woman president.” He also thanked Bulgarians abroad who had voted for them and stated that adding their concerns to his future agenda would be a priority.
“Twice as many voters supported Bulgaria having its first woman president,” Vice‑President candidate Valchev told reporters.
The ruling party’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev attended a briefing with the new president and vice‑president. According to BTA, he praised the outcome: “Today, the Bulgarian people have chosen the future over the past, peace, stability, normality, and a sustainable and clear outlook.”
Turnout Abroad Increases
BTA also highlighted turnout data for Bulgarian voters living outside the country, noting that in North Macedonia 491 citizens cast ballots at seven polling stations on 1 November—a significant increase compared to the first round, when 462 voted and the total of 327 2024 parliamentary elections. The highest turnout since 2022 occurred at the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje, followed by the Consulate General in Bitola, Ohrid, Strumica, Kavadarci, Kocani and Prilep.
In Romania, 327 Bulgarian citizens voted at the sole Bulgarian polling station at the Embassy in Bucharest, almost doubling the 167 voters who took part in the first round held on 25 October. The respondents ranged in age from 18 to 79, and the voting process was described as calm and orderly, without queues or incidents.
The combined reporting from BTA offers a comprehensive view of both the domestic outcome and international participation. It underscores the significance of the first woman presidency for Bulgaria and the heightened engagement of expatriate voters during the runoff.
