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Iliana Iotova, backed by a Moscow-friendly party, wins Bulgaria's presidential run-off to become its first elected female president

Iliana Iotova, 62, whose victory was overshadowed by drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast that killed around two dozen seafarers in recent weeks.
Iliana Iotova, 62, whose victory was overshadowed by drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast that killed around two dozen seafarers in recent weeks.

Iliana Iotova beat pro-Western challenger Andrey Gyurov by 57.58% to 39.47% in Sunday's presidential run-off, near-final results from Bulgaria's Central Election Commission show. Iotova, 62, formerly vice president, had served as acting president since January after Prime Minister Rumen Radev resigned his post to contest — and win — parliamentary elections on a ticket many analysts consider Kremlin-friendly. Voter turnout reached only around 27% to 29%, marginally above the first round's record-low 23%.

Iotova has called herself a 'President of Peace', backing diplomatic negotiations with Russia rather than stronger support for Ukraine.

The election was overshadowed by drone attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, which have killed around two dozen seafarers in recent weeks.

Observers warn her victory concentrates power alongside Radev's governing majority, potentially undermining checks and balances on policy.

MoreDaily Mail NewsBulgaria election exit polls suggest Iliana Yotova will become country's first elected female president - after she was endorsed by Moscow-friendly partyReutersBulgaria's Iotova wins presidential runoff, near-final results showAPInitial results suggest Yotova wins runoff to become Bulgaria’s first elected female presidentReutersBulgaria's acting President Iotova takes lead in presidential runoff vote, exit polls showWashington TimesExit polls suggest that Yotova wins runoff to become Bulgaria’s first elected female presidentFinancial TimesBulgarians projected to re-elect pro-Russian presidentThe IndependentExit polls suggest that Iliana Yotova wins runoff to become Bulgaria’s first elected female presidentAOL News UKBulgaria's acting President Yotova leads in exit polls of runoff election
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