Pro-Russia interim president wins elections in Bulgaria

Iliana Yotova has won the Bulgarian presidential elections, becoming the first female head of state with 57.4% of the votes. She opposed military aid to Ukraine and advocated for dialogue with Russia. Her opponent, Andrey Gyurov, received 39.4% of the votes and acknowledged the results despite discrepancies with pre-election polls. The election was influenced by the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Yotova promoting peace negotiations. The outcome is seen as a victory for the pro-Russian party led by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who supported Yotova. The presidency in Bulgaria has limited executive powers, focusing on military command and legislative vetoes.