In Bulgaria, the transition of state leadership occurred for the first time with the involvement of a female president. On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Constitutional Court officially confirmed Rumen Radev's resignation, and subsequently, the presidential powers were automatically transferred to Vice President Iliyana Yotova. This was reported by podrobno.uz.newsreports.
According to the country's constitution, Yotova will fulfill the duties of the head of state until January 2027, when the current presidential term concludes. The court unanimously approved the termination of Radev's powers based on his voluntary application before the term ended.
Radev, who has been president since 2017 and previously commanded the air force, became the first president in Bulgaria's modern democratic history to resign voluntarily before the end of his term. He explained his decision as a desire to participate more actively in political processes and prepare for the anticipated early parliamentary elections.
The 61-year-old Iliyana Yotova is not required to retake the oath to assume presidential powers, as she had already done so when entering her second term as vice president in 2022. In his farewell address, Radev expressed confidence in his successor, describing Yotova as a “worthy successor” capable of ensuring institutional stability during a political crisis.
Yotova has extensive experience in politics and international affairs. Before joining the presidential administration, she started in television journalism, managed the press center of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and then served as a deputy in the national parliament and the European Parliament. During her European tenure, she focused on issues such as combating terrorism, protecting personal data, and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area.
Now, Yotova will be tasked with representing Bulgaria's interests on the international stage, consulting with parliamentary factions, and setting the date for the parliamentary elections, expected to be held for the eighth time in five years. Observers suggest that her experience with European institutions could be a crucial factor in stabilizing the domestic situation.
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