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Bulgaria's Acting President Iotova Leads in Presidential Runoff Exit Polls

Iliana Iotova holds a commanding lead in exit polling for Bulgaria's presidential runoff vote, putting her on track to become the nation's first elected female head of state. Final results are expected to be confirmed on Monday.

LSN World News · 1 November 2026

Bulgaria's Acting President Iotova Leads in Presidential Runoff Exit Polls

Exit polls from Bulgaria's presidential runoff election showed acting President Iliana Iotova with a substantial advantage over her rival, signaling a historic victory in the race to lead the Balkan nation. If the preliminary results hold through official vote tallying, Iotova would break new ground as Bulgaria's first female president elected through the democratic process.

The runoff contest marked the culmination of a closely watched campaign that has captured significant attention across Eastern Europe. Iotova, who has served in the presidential role on an interim basis, mobilized support throughout the campaign period and appears to have successfully translated that backing into electoral strength.

Official confirmation of the results is scheduled for Monday, when Bulgarian election authorities will complete their formal tabulation of votes cast across the country. The outcome would represent a significant milestone for political representation in Bulgaria, reshaping the nation's leadership landscape.

The presidential election has taken place amid broader political developments in Bulgaria, where questions of governance and democratic participation have remained central to national discourse. Iotova's apparent victory underscores evolving patterns in voter preferences across the region.