Elena Yotova, a politician who favors dialogue with Moscow and opposes military aid to Ukraine, has won the second round of the presidential election, becoming Bulgaria's first female president. Agence France-Presse reported early on Monday, November 2, that Yotova defeated the pro-Western politician Andrey Gyorov in the runoff vote.
The election was held amid heightened security concerns following a series of drone attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea. These attacks are suspected to be a spillover from the Russia-Ukraine war and have increased instability in the region.
In October, several ships were targeted near Bulgaria's coast in the Black Sea, resulting in 21 people missing. The incident has raised tensions and prompted calls for greater security measures. Outgoing President Rumen Radev, a center-left politician also known for his pro-dialogue stance with Moscow, suggested the attacks seemed to serve Russia's interests and had summoned the Russian ambassador.
However, Radev's government also stressed that there was no direct evidence linking Moscow to the attacks. The incidents have nonetheless put regional security at the forefront of the political debate in Bulgaria, a member of both NATO and the European Union.
Yotova's victory is seen as potentially shifting Bulgaria's foreign policy. She has consistently advocated for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine and has voiced opposition to sending military hardware to Kyiv, a position that contrasts with some other EU members.
Her win is a historic milestone for the Balkan nation of 6.4 million people, as she becomes the first woman to be elected to the presidency. Her approach to the war in Ukraine and regional security will be closely watched by international partners and allies in the coming months.
Source: Agence France-Presse
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