At a campaign stop in Pazardzhik on 28 October 2026, presidential candidate Iliana Iotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev met with potential voters and outlined a platform that places peace and national security at its center. The pair presented their pledge to keep Bulgarian troops out of the fighting in Ukraine and to pursue immediate diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict, according to a BTA report.
Campaign Speech in Pazardzhik
During her remarks, Iotova declared that if elected president, she would never allow Bulgarian armed forces to leave the country for a deployment in Ukraine. She stressed that the most appropriate response to the ongoing crisis is to open a diplomatic window and bring the parties to the negotiating table. BTA reported that the candidate viewed the clash as a threat to Bulgaria’s geopolitical stability and to the broader European security architecture.
Iotova stressed that Europe’s security depends on general peace and that the current escalation—especially in the Black Sea, where incidents such as the sinking of ships and drone attacks have been reported—requires “international coordination to impose a moratorium on hostilities.” The BTA article notes she argued that these measures would protect Bulgaria’s interests while supporting peace in the region.
Beyond the conflict, Iotova emphasized the importance of preserving national identity. She said that a key societal task is “to support Bulgarian education, culture, and folklore in order to build a sustainable value system among young people.” She added that these cultural values are not relics but foundations that strengthen future generations in the face of potential storms.
Iotova said: "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 BTA report recorded the statement and noted that Iotova’s emphasis on cultural heritage ties directly into her broader campaign message of resilience and stability. While the interview did not detail specific policy steps, the candidate highlighted her vision of a Bulgaria that protects its sovereignty while working out peaceful solutions to international conflicts.
With the campaign underway, Iotova’s residents of Pazardzhik and other attendees expressed that the candidate’s focus on peace, national security, and cultural preservation resonated with the electorate’s concerns about regional instability. The BTA coverage indicates that the candidate aims to mobilize voters who prioritize diplomatic solutions over military engagement in Europe’s current hotspots.
