Cyprus Times

Iliana Yotova Becomes First Female President of Bulgaria

Published January 23, 2026, 15:08
Iliana Yotova Becomes First Female President of Bulgaria

Iliana Yotova has assumed the Presidency of Bulgaria following the early termination of Rumen Radev's term after his resignation. Yotova is the first woman to hold the office in Bulgarian history. Her ascension to the Presidency is a result of a constitutional provision that automatically transfers power to the Vice President in the event of a President's early departure. Rumen Radev announced his resignation on January 19th and formally submitted it the following day. This move sets a historical precedent, as he is the first Bulgarian President to leave office before the completion of his term. Iliana Yotova, born in 1964, has an extensive background in journalism and politics. She studied Bulgarian Philology and has specialized training from the French School of Administration (ENA) and the Centre for European Studies in Strasbourg. Prior to the Presidency, Yotova worked as a journalist at Bulgarian National Television, led the press center of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), served as Vice President of the Sofia Municipal Council, and as a Member of the European Parliament. Her fluent knowledge of French, Russian, and English is a significant asset to her new role.