01. Key takeaways

Bulgaria’s incumbent president, Iliana Iotova, won the presidential runoff on Sunday, 1 November 2026. With 98.43% of polling-station protocols processed, the Central Election Commission’s data gave her ticket 57.64% against 39.40% for former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov, who has conceded. Iotova is set to become the first woman elected president of Bulgaria. Final official results are still pending.

Iliana Iotova, Bulgaria’s incumbent president, has won the country’s presidential runoff, according to preliminary data from the Central Election Commission (CEC). Her opponent, former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov, conceded defeat on Sunday night, 1 November 2026.

02. The preliminary result

With 98.43% of polling-station protocols processed as of 3:00 am local time on Monday, 2 November (6:30 am IST), the CEC’s results page showed:

  • Iliana Iotova and running mate Kiril Valchev: 57.636% (1,077,092 votes)
  • Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev: 39.402% (736,334 votes)
  • “I do not support anyone”: 2.962% (55,353 votes)

Earlier exit-poll estimates from several polling institutes had given Iotova between 57.4% and 58.2%, RTÉ reported, citing AFP. The CEC will publish final official results once all protocols are processed.

03. Reactions

Iotova declared victory alongside Prime Minister Rumen Radev, saying her message had focused on “incomes, peace and the challenges that lie ahead”, according to RTÉ. Gyurov told reporters he accepted “the results as they are” and added, “We have laid a solid foundation upon which we can build.” The Associated Press also reported that he conceded.

Mr. Radev said, “Today, the Bulgarian people have chosen the future over the past.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Iotova on X, writing: “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.”

04. Who is Iliana Iotova?

Iotova, 62, is a former journalist and member of the European Parliament. She was elected vice-president alongside Rumen Radev in 2016 and 2021, and took over as president earlier this year when Radev stepped down to contest parliamentary elections, RTÉ reported. If the result is confirmed, she will be the first woman elected president of Bulgaria, a country of about 6.4 million people.

She supports Bulgaria’s membership of the EU and NATO but favours dialogue with Moscow, opposes military aid to Ukraine and argues that peace in Ukraine can be achieved only through negotiations. Gyurov, 50, is a banker and former deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank. He was backed by the pro-Western opposition.

05. Low turnout and a tense backdrop

The first round on 25 October, narrowly won by Iotova, recorded a record-low turnout of 23%. Turnout in the runoff was projected at around 27%, according to RTÉ. CEC data showed turnout of 19.33% by 4 pm on polling day.

The vote came after a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea off Bulgaria in October, which left 21 people missing. Radev’s government has said there is so far no evidence directly linking the attacks to Moscow, RTÉ reported.

06. Analysis: why the result matters

This section is Newsy’s analysis, not reported fact. Bulgaria’s presidency is largely ceremonial, but the president represents the country abroad, is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and can return laws to parliament for reconsideration. Iotova’s win gives Prime Minister Radev’s camp both the government and the presidency. That could make domestic politics steadier after years of repeated elections. It also puts a president who is sceptical of military aid to Ukraine at the head of an EU and NATO member on the Black Sea. Low turnout in both rounds suggests her mandate rests on a small share of eligible voters, which opponents are likely to point out.

Related on Newsy: follow international elections and diplomacy in our World section.

07. FAQ

Who won Bulgaria’s presidential runoff?

Incumbent president Iliana Iotova, with 57.64% of the vote on 98.43% of protocols processed, according to the Central Election Commission.

Who was her opponent?

Andrey Gyurov, a banker and former caretaker prime minister backed by the pro-Western opposition. He received 39.40% and conceded.

Is the result final?

Not yet. The figures are preliminary; the Central Election Commission will publish final official results after all protocols are processed.

What powers does Bulgaria’s president have?

The role is largely ceremonial, but the president represents the country abroad, commands the armed forces and can return bills to parliament.

08. Sources