In brief
Iliana Iotova and Kiril Valchev won Bulgaria’s presidential runoff, becoming the country’s first female president and vice president, after the turnout of Bulgarian voters abroad rose sharply. Parallel exit polls give the pair a margin of 56‑58% over their opponents. Prime Minister Rumen Radev praised the outcome as a vote for peace and stability.
In a historic victory, Iliana Iotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev won Bulgaria’s presidential runoff after polls closed on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The parallel counting of ballots, reported by five independent agencies, showed the Iotova‑Valchev ticket leading with 56.1% to 58.2% of the vote, comfortably ahead of Andrey Gurov and Georgi Kandev.
Voter participation at Bulgarian polling stations abroad also climbed, with 491 citizens voting in seven booths in North Macedonia and 327 in the single embassy station in Bucharest, Romania—both numbers higher than in prior round‑robin elections.
Iotova thanked every voter in a statement delivered after the official count:
"Their vote means a lot, because we will listen to what they have told us," she said.
Vice‑presidential candidate Kiril Valchev added, following the results: "Twice as many voters supported Bulgaria having its first woman president."
Prime Minister Rumen Radev attended the briefing and remarked: "Today, the Bulgarian people have chosen the future over the past, peace, stability, normality, and a sustainable and clear outlook."
