Ilijana Jotowa wins Bulgaria’s presidential election

According to preliminary projections, Jotowa garnered between 57.4% and 58.2% of the vote, decisively defeating her pro-Western challenger, Andrej Gjurow, who conceded defeat on election night. Gjurow received between 38.6% and 39.6% of the vote.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Jotowa on her win, stating she looked forward to continuing their work together for a strong Bulgaria in a strong Europe.

Jotowa, 62, supports Bulgaria’s EU and NATO membership but opposes military aid for Ukraine. She campaigned as a “President of Peace” advocating for dialog with Moscow.

She declared victory shortly after the projections were released, stating her message focused on “income, peace, and the challenges ahead,” alongside Prime Minister Radew, who congratulated her, saying, “Today, the Bulgarian people have chosen the future over the past.”

The election was overshadowed by recent drone attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea. Gjurow had criticized Jotowa for not explicitly blaming Russia for the attacks, which occurred in early and mid-October, resulting in 21 people missing and presumed dead. Prime Minister Radew summoned the Russian ambassador but refrained from officially assigning blame.

In the first round of voting a week ago, Jotowa narrowly led Gjurow, with 35% of the vote compared to 32%. Jotowa, a former journalist and socialist Member of the European Parliament, assumed the presidency in January, succeeding Rumen Radew, who resigned to become Prime Minister.

The Bulgarian government halted weapons deliveries from military stockpiles to Ukraine in June and later withdrew from an international coalition supporting Kyiv, although the country’s arms industry continues to supply weapons to Ukraine.

Sociologist Borjana Dimitrowa from Alpha Research attributed Jotowa’s victory to her portrayal as a “peace president,” capitalizing on public anxieties following the Black Sea attacks. Voter turnout in the runoff election was estimated between 27% and 29%, slightly higher than the record low of 23% in the first round. The president in Bulgaria primarily holds representative duties, but can veto laws and serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.