Bulgaria elects Iliana Iotova as first female president

Iliana Iotova has been elected as Bulgaria's first female president, according to France 24 English and Al Jazeera English.

Iotova ran as an independent candidate but was supported by the Bulgarian Socialist Party and Prime Minister Rumen Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party, France 24 reported.

She defeated Andrey Gyurov, who was backed by Bulgaria's pro-Western parties, in the presidential runoff, Al Jazeera noted.

Iotova previously served as vice president for nine years before Radev resigned and became prime minister, France 24 said.

Her election consolidates the political control of Radev and his party over Bulgaria's three branches of government, with the presidency now aligned with the National Assembly and the government, France 24 explained.

This consolidation leaves the justice system as the only remaining counterbalance to the government, according to France 24.

The election has also highlighted divisions within Bulgaria regarding the country's political direction and its stance between Russia and Western allies, France 24 added.