Pro-Putin acting president Iliana Yotova wins Bulgaria's run-off to become the country's first elected female head of state

Her victory deepens concerns in Brussels and Washington about Sofia's strategic alignment, with Yotova having long opposed Western military aid to Ukraine and pushed for warmer ties with Moscow.

Yotova had been acting president after Rumen Radev's term ended, making her the incumbent going into the vote.

Her win marks a significant shift for a NATO and EU member state at a moment when alliance unity over Ukraine is already under strain.

Gyurov, backed by pro-European parties, failed to overcome Yotova's lead from the first round despite late momentum.