The first results of the presidential elections in Bulgaria are in. The winner has already received congratulations.

Bulgarian exit polls indicate Iliana Yotova and her vice-presidential candidate Kiril Walchev won the presidential election with 51.6% of the votes. Their opponents, Andrej Giurow and Georgi Kandew, received 43.4%. Yotova thanked voters after the polls closed, and Giurow congratulated her on the victory. The Central Election Commission is expected to announce official results within three days. In the first round, Yotova secured 34.7% while Giurow had 31.9%. Yotova is backed by the ruling party and aims to maintain Bulgaria's European course while improving relations with Russia. Giurow, supported by the opposition, advocates for NATO cooperation and support for Ukraine.