Yotova Wins Bulgaria Presidential Runoff

Iliana Yotova won Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, defeating pro-Western opposition candidate Andrey Gyurov, who conceded; preliminary estimates put her support at roughly 52% to 58%. If confirmed by official results, she will become the country’s first elected female president. The largely ceremonial contest reflected divisions over Russia and Ukraine: Yotova favors dialogue with Moscow and opposes military aid to Ukraine, while Gyurov criticized her stance and called for Russia to end its aggression. The campaign unfolded amid security concerns after Black Sea drone attacks left 21 people missing, as well as economic hardship and political instability.