Sofia:European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Iliana Yotova on her success in Bulgaria's presidential election on Sunday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, von der Leyen extended her congratulations to Yotova via the US social media platform X, expressing her anticipation of continued collaboration on various issues, including security, defense, competitiveness, and energy independence. She emphasized the importance of a strong Bulgaria within a strong Europe.

Completed parallel counts by five major polling agencies indicated Yotova's share of the vote ranged between 56.6% and 58.2%, while her pro-Western challenger Andrey Gyurov garnered between 38.6% and 40.6%. Gyurov, acknowledging the unexpected outcome, accepted the results during a press conference in Sofia and emphasized the ongoing responsibility despite the end of the campaign.

Yotova, a prominent member of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, improved her standing from the first round of voting, where she secured 34.76% compared to Gyurov's 31.95%. Her campaign focused on advocating for a diplomatic solution for peace, opposing additional arms support for Ukraine, setting her apart from her rival. The presidential election followed the parliamentary vote in April, where Progressive Bulgaria, led by former President Rumen Radev, achieved a majority in the National Assembly.