Bulgaria elects Iliana Iotova as president, pro-Russia candidate defeats pro-Western rival

Iliana Iotova has triumphed in Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, unseating the pro-western contender, Andrey Gyurov. Her campaign prioritized improving livelihoods, fostering peace, and confronting future challenges. This historic win makes Iotova the first female president elected directly by the Bulgarian populace. With security concerns heightened by recent drone attacks in the Black Sea, low voter turnout reflected the deep political rifts concerning Bulgaria’s relationship with Russia.