Iliana Yotova has officially become Bulgaria’s first woman president, securing 57.57% of the vote in the November 1 runoff election and marking a historic moment for women’s political representation in the country.
Yotova received 1,093,852 votes, defeating her rival Andrey Gyurov, who secured 39.48%, according to the final results announced by Bulgaria’s Central Election Commission on November 3.
Political Background and Career
Before her election, Yotova served as Bulgaria’s vice president from 2017 and assumed the presidency in January 2026 after President Rumen Radev resigned. Her victory now gives her a direct electoral mandate as Bulgaria’s first woman president.
Born in 1964, Yotova began her professional career in journalism before entering politics. She later served as a member of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2017, before becoming vice president of Bulgaria.
Representation of Women in Bulgaria
Her election marks a significant milestone in a country where women remain underrepresented in national political institutions.
Women hold 57 of the 240 seats in Bulgaria’s National Assembly, representing 23.8% of parliamentarians, according to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union. This is below the European Union average of 33.6% recorded in 2025.
Although Bulgaria’s president is not the head of government in its parliamentary system, the office carries important constitutional responsibilities, including serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, appointing caretaker governments under certain circumstances, and having the power to return legislation to parliament for reconsideration.
The election of Bulgaria’s first woman president therefore represents both a historic breakthrough in women’s access to the country’s highest elected office and a reminder that broader gender equality in political decision-making remains an ongoing challenge.
