Bulgaria's acting president Iliana Iotova secured victory in the presidential run-off election, according to exit polls. The vote took place amid heightened security concerns across the European Union and NATO, following a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
Iotova, who supports dialogue with Moscow and opposes military aid to Ukraine, ran as the candidate of the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party and the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Her running mate, Kiril Valchev, was her vice-presidential candidate.
The election saw Iotova face Andrey Gyurov, a former caretaker prime minister and banker, who ran with Georgi Kandev as his vice-presidential candidate. Gyurov's campaign focused on economic reform and closer ties with Western allies.
Iotova's win would make her Bulgaria's first elected female president, a historic milestone for the country. The results are expected to be officially announced in the coming days.
The run-off election followed a first-round vote where neither candidate secured enough support to win outright. The contest for the largely ceremonial post highlighted political divisions within Bulgaria, with Iotova's coalition emphasizing stability and continuity.
This election comes at a time of regional tension, with the Black Sea region facing increased security threats. The outcome of Bulgaria's presidential race is seen as a key indicator of the country's political direction in the coming years.
