In brief
During a campaign stop in Pazardzhik on 28 October 2026, presidential hopeful Iliana Iotova declared that, if elected, she would prevent Bulgarian armed forces from being sent to Ukraine and would seek immediate diplomatic resolution of the crisis. She stressed European security, geopolitical stability, and the importance of preserving Bulgarian cultural heritage, noting that a patriotism rooted in history is vital for future generations. The report leaves unanswered whether her platform will resonate enough to win the election or if her pledges will be actionable under the current political context.
Pazardzhik, Southern Bulgaria – On 28 October 2026, presidential ticket Iliana Iotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev met with potential voters in the city, where Iotova announced her priorities for a prospective presidency, emphasizing that she would prevent Bulgarian armed forces from leaving for Ukraine and focusing on peace and national security.
Iotova’s remarks were made public through a statement by Bulgarian Alliance for The Future (BTA), the party that backs her candidacy, which reported that she argued the only correct approach to resolving the crisis in Ukraine is immediate negotiations, as she said the security architecture of the European Union and Europe as a whole depends on general peace.
She also urged international cooperation to impose a moratorium on hostilities, sinking of ships, and drone attacks across the Black Sea, noting that “the recent escalations in the Black Sea highlight the urgency for coordinated action from European partners.”
During her address, Iotova underlined the importance of preserving national identity, reflecting on Bulgaria’s culture, folklore, and education as core to a sustainable value system for young people. She stated: “Unlike those who say these are relics of the past, our view is that this patriotism is needed precisely now so that our children can have strong roots, and whatever may happen to them – no matter what storms may befall them – these roots will protect them and give them the self‑confidence of being heirs to a country exceptionally rich in culture and history.”
The campaign stop in Pazardzhik was covered by BTA, which characterized the event as a key moment for the candidate to demonstrate her commitment to geopolitical stability, foreign policy balance, and the preservation of Bulgarian heritage, all while refusing to allow the nation’s military to engage in foreign conflicts.
While the BTA report details Iotova’s platform, it does not confirm how her proposals would be implemented if elected, nor does it address the likelihood of her attaining the presidency amid the current political landscape. The report therefore leaves open the question of whether her pledge to keep Bulgarian troops out of Ukraine or her call for immediate diplomatic negotiations will be realized in practice. This uncertainty remains as the political race continues to evolve.
