Iotova Wins Bulgaria's Presidential Runoff, Election Commission Count Shows

As of 7:40 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026

Iliana Iotova won Bulgaria's presidential runoff on Sunday, Nov. 1, according to the count published by the country's Central Election Commission.

With 100% of polling-station protocols processed, Iotova and her running mate, Kiril Valchev, had 1,093,852 votes, or 57.57%, the commission's results page showed as of 9:15 a.m. Monday Sofia time (2:15 a.m. ET).

Andrey Gurov and running mate Georgi Kandev had 750,251 votes, or 39.48%. Another 56,080 voters, 2.95%, chose "I do not support anyone."

The commission's figures are a full preliminary count. GROKsiNEWS.com has not seen a formal announcement of the certified final result.

Earlier, with 99.95% of tally sheets processed, the state news agency BTA reported Iotova at 57.58%, or 1,093,564 votes, and Gurov at 39.47%, or 749,543 votes, citing the commission.

28 districts to three

Iotova and Valchev won in 28 electoral districts, and Gurov and Kandev in three: Kardzhali and Sofia's 23rd and 24th districts, BTA reported.

Among Bulgarians voting abroad, Gurov led with 56.23% to Iotova's 41.55%, with more than 99% of those protocols counted, Bulgarian National Radio reported. BNR put turnout at about 27%.

"First elected female head of state"

Iotova, the acting president, becomes Bulgaria's first elected female head of state, Reuters reported, describing the turnout as low. BNR called her the country's seventh president and the first woman elected to the post.

AFP reported Sunday evening that Iotova had won based on exit polls, describing her as favoring dialogue with Moscow and opposing military aid to Ukraine.

Gurov accepts result

Gurov said Sunday night that he accepted the results, "surprising as they may be," BTA reported.

"We must hold the State accountable, because it should work for Bulgarian citizens, not for itself," Gurov said, according to BTA. He said his team had not expected so large a gap after the first round and that Bulgarian society should seek unity rather than division.

Kandev said the fight "does not end with this election," BTA reported. "I would like to urge the Bulgarian people to remain vigilant and make sure that all the promises made to them are kept," he said, as quoted by BNR.

Iotova's name is also transliterated Yotova, and Gurov's Gyurov.