Acting President Iliana Iotova is leading by a wide margin in early results from Bulgaria’s second-round presidential election.
Early figures released by polling agencies after Sunday’s vote on November 1 put Iotova at about 58 percent, compared with about 38 percent for her rival, former caretaker Prime Minister Andrei Gyurov.
If the result is confirmed, the 62-year-old Iotova will become Bulgaria’s first elected woman president.
Gyurov conceded defeat and said Bulgarians had made their decision through the way they voted. Official results are not expected before Monday.
Iotova was backed by Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party, which is seen as pro-Russian. The election was a major test for the party, which won a single-party majority of 131 seats in the 240-seat parliament in April’s election.
Observers say an Iotova victory would put the presidency under the control of the governing coalition as well, raising concerns about a greater concentration of state power and weaker institutional oversight of government decisions.
Iotova took over as acting president after Radev left the office in January to contest the parliamentary election. She ran this time to secure a full term through a direct election.
Iotova is expected to maintain Bulgaria’s ties with the European Union while pursuing better relations with Russia. She also supports lifting sanctions imposed on Russia.
After voting on Sunday, Iotova said she had voted for a Bulgaria that could make its own decisions and play a stronger role internationally.
“I voted for a strong state with national consensus through dialogue, effective institutions for citizens and its own foreign policy within a stronger Europe,” she said.
Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007. Most political parties agree on maintaining ties with the West. But many Bulgarians support Russia because of historic and cultural links, and divisions over Russia became clearer after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Both Iotova and Radev have called for a diplomatic solution to end the war in Ukraine. They have avoided taking a clear position on possible Russian involvement in drone attacks in the Black Sea region.
During a televised debate before the election, Iotova said peace between Ukraine and Russia could come only through an agreement. “Peace can come only through talks,” she said.
She also proposed a security meeting involving the six countries bordering the Black Sea and a pact to end conflict among them.
Bulgaria’s presidency is largely ceremonial but carries important powers. The president does not run the government and major policy decisions require parliamentary approval. Direct election gives the office political influence.
The president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, can veto laws passed by parliament, signs international treaties and appoints ambassadors.
Bulgaria’s president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and may serve a maximum of two terms.
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