For the first time in Bulgarian history, the powers of the state leader have been transferred to a female politician. On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Constitutional Court officially confirmed the resignation of Rumen Radev, after which the presidential powers automatically passed to Vice President Iliyana Yotova. This was reported by podrobno.uznewsreports.
According to the Constitution, Yotova will serve as the head of state until January 2027, when the current term concludes. The court unanimously approved the early termination of Radev's powers based on his voluntary application.
Radev, who has been president since 2017 and previously commanded the Bulgarian Air Force, became the first president in the modern democratic era to voluntarily leave office before the end of his term. He explained his decision as a desire to participate more actively in the country's political life and prepare for the anticipated early parliamentary elections.
As 61-year-old Iliyana Yotova assumes presidential powers, there is no need for her to retake the oath: she took it when she began her second term as vice president in 2022.
In his farewell address, Radev expressed full confidence in his successor, describing her as a 'worthy successor' capable of ensuring the stability of institutions during a political crisis.
Yotova has significant political and international experience. Before joining the presidential administration, she started in television journalism, managed the press center of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and served as a deputy in both the national parliament and the European Parliament. During her European tenure, she dealt with issues such as counter-terrorism, personal data protection, and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area.
In her new role, Yotova will represent Bulgaria on the international stage and begin consultations with parliamentary factions to set the date for the eighth parliamentary election in the last five years. Observers note that her experience with European institutions could be crucial in stabilizing the domestic situation.
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