Bulgaria elects its first female president: Yotova wins with strong support against military aid to Ukraine
Yotova has served as vice president since 2017. Following the resignation of Rosen Plevneliev in January 2026, she assumed interim presidential duties; now, through a direct popular vote, she has secured a full term as president, making her the first woman to hold the office in Bulgaria’s history.
According to parallel counting data, Yotova received approximately 58.2% of the vote, while her opponent, Andrei Durov—former acting prime minister and representative of the pro-Western camp—secured 38.6%.
The first round on October 25 recorded a turnout of only about 22%, the lowest in history, failing to produce a majority and triggering a runoff. Running as an independent candidate, Yotova garnered backing from the “Progressive Bulgaria” coalition led by Plevneliev and the Bulgarian Socialist Party. She advocates resolving the Ukraine crisis through diplomatic negotiations, calls for dialogue between the EU and Russia, and proposes Bulgaria serve as a "diplomatic channel."
This outcome ensures that the presidential office remains under the control of the ruling parliamentary majority, potentially reinforcing a policy of balancing relations with Russia—a stance likely to draw attention within both the European Union and NATO.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880706184587274/
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