In brief
In a tight victory in the 2026 runoff, Iliana Yotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev achieved 57.6% of the vote, becoming Bulgaria’s first female president. Official tallies from the Central Election Commission show a 26.8% turnout and 56,080 voters choosing “none of the above.” Overseas voting was split, with the Gurov‑Kandev ticket sweeping most foreign ballots.
In the 2026 Bulgarian presidential runoff held on 1 November, Iliana Yotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev captured 57.6% of the vote, according to the Central Election Commission, securing Yotova’s place as the country’s first female president.
The official count released by the Commission added the detailed figures of the polling‑station tallies: Yotova/Valchev received 1,093,852 votes, while Andrey Gurov and Georgi Kandev garnered 750,251. Simultaneously, 56,080 voters selected the “none of the above” option, knocking the total uninterested ballots slightly above 2% of the electorate.
Tally sheet—a printed document kept by each polling station that summarises ballots cast—is the backbone of the vote‑tallying process. The Commission confirmed that 100% of these sheets had been processed, a completion rate necessary for the official certification of results.
Domestic Vote Breakdown
Analysis of the district‑level data shows that the Yotova/Valchev ticket won the majority in 28 of Bulgaria’s electoral districts, with the Gurov/Kandev pair taking a lead in only three. The winning districts spanned the entire country: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv (both city and region), Razgrad, Ruse, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, the 25th district of Sofia, the Sofia Region, Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. The remaining districts favored Gurov/Kandev in Kardzhali and the 23rd and 24th districts of Sofia.
Voter turnout for the runoff was 26.8% of eligible voters, a figure that matches the 26.8% turnout cited by the Central Election Commission and represents an increase from the 22.98% turnout in the first round. No serious violations were reported during the election, according to the Interior Ministry’s brief statements. The overall turnout marks a record low compared to the 40.5% recorded in the 2021 presidential election.
Voting Abroad
In the overseas voting arena, the Gurov/Kandev ticket dominated, receiving 56.36% of the ballots cast by Bulgarian citizens abroad, while Yotova/Valchev drew 41.43%, as reported by the Central Election Commission. The figure reflects 100% of foreign tally sheets processed and totals 60,413 votes for Gurov/Kandev against 44,413 for Yotova/Valchev.
In specific regions overseas, the results were split. In Moldova, where 11 polling stations were opened, Yotova/Valchev secured 85.34% of 880 votes (751 for the Yotova ticket, 121 for Gurov/Kandev, 8 selecting none), a remarkable lead among Bulgarian expatriates. Conversely, in Greece, 24 polling stations collections drew 1,419 votes for Yotova/Valchev versus 1,404 for Gurov/Kandev, leaving the latter a margin of just 15 votes, while 110 voters chose the “none of the above” option.
The Netherlands presented a different outcome: the Gurov/Kandev ticket captured 72.09% of 5,666 tickets cast in Utrecht (4,308 votes), while Yotova/Valchev received 25.77% (1,540 votes). The Dutch results include 128 votes for “none of the above,” a comparatively higher share than in other overseas sites.
Bulgarian citizens voting in North Macedonia, four of 491 ballots cast, favored Yotova/Valchev with 51.49%, compared with 43.8% for Gurov/Kandev, and 4.7% for the “none of the above” option.
International congratulations followed the announcement, with several neighboring heads of state extending formal wishes. Romanian President Nicusor Dan posted on X: “I look forward to continuing our close work together and to deepening cooperation between our countries. As neighbours, EU partners and NATO allies, there is much we can do together for the security and development of our region, starting with the Black Sea. I look forward to welcoming President Iotova to Romania soon.”
North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska wrote on X: “On behalf of the Macedonian citizens and in my own name, I cordially congratulate President Iliana Iotova and Vice President Kiril Valchev on their election victory. President Iotova’s success reflects the will of the Bulgarian people. I am confident that, under her presidency, Bulgaria will play a constructive role in our region and Europe. I look forward to working together in mutual respect, open dialogue and genuine partnership.”
Austrian head of State Alexander Van der Bellen congratulated Iotova via Bluesky: “Wishing you every success in fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted upon you by your fellow citizens and in steering your country through these geopolitically challenging times. I look forward to our continued cooperation in the interest of a strong, united, safe and prosperous Europe.”
An exit poll conducted by Trend in late June showed a notable shift in university‑educated voters: during the first round, 39% of this group supported Gurov, compared with 31.7% for Yotova; in the runoff, 50.2% rallied behind Yotova and 46% for Gurov. The poll also revealed that the overall lead for Yotova narrowed from 29.3 percentage points in the first round to 21.9 percentage points in the second. The distribution of supporters also varied by age and place of residence, with Yotova gaining ground in regional capitals and smaller towns while Gurov maintained a lead in Sofia.
The alignment of Bulgaria’s presidency with the ruling Progressive Bulgaria party is a significant factor shaping post‑election dynamics. While proponents argue the alignment may reduce institutional friction, critics warn that shared party alignment does not guarantee policy harmony, particularly in matters of social division and foreign policy direction on the Black Sea and the Russia‑Ukraine conflict. Analysts underscore that high inflation and pervasive societal unrest remain pressing hurdles for the new administration.
