In brief
In a series of campaign events in October 2026, presidential candidate Iliana Iotova underscored her commitment to prevent Bulgarian troops from joining the war in Ukraine and to initiate immediate negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. She highlighted the importance of preserving Bulgarian cultural identity, strengthening European security, and fostering a tolerant national narrative. Her statements were echoed in a televised debate with rival candidate Andrey Gurov and a radio address ahead of the Duterte runoff.
During a campaign stop in Pazardzhik on 28 October 2026, presidential candidate Iliana Iotova declared that should she be elected, Bulgaria would not send armed forces to Ukraine and would pursue urgent diplomatic talks to resolve the ongoing conflict. The announcement was made on the back of a brisk speech that focused on protecting national identity and affirming Bulgaria’s commitments to European security.
Geopolitical stability – the steady functioning of international relationships and the predictable nature of global interactions – was cited by Iotova as a core prerequisite for peace in Europe. She argued that the only viable pathway to end the war in Ukraine was negotiation and that continuing military action only deepened humanitarian suffering and destabilized the region. Her remarks were grounded in a broader vision of collective European defence that includes a moratorium on hostilities in the Black Sea, the sinking of ships, and drone attacks.
In the same televised debate on Bulgarian National Television, Iotova called for a multilateral peace agreement that would involve both Ukraine and Russia. She insisted that Russia could not be excluded because no other actor could speak on its behalf. To her, military aid that increased destruction had the opposite effect of ending the war, and she urged the European Union to negotiate a framework that set clear terms for cessation, a vision of peace for Europe, and the conditions for both parties.
«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», she said at a rally in Pazardzhik, encouraging citizens to preserve Bulgarian folklore and education as a foundational value for sustainable society.
Iotova also spoke of the 2022 escalation in the Black Sea, calling for collective coordination to impose a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. Her strategy included convening a security council that would bring together Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, and Russia for a joint assessment of maritime safety and a moratorium on naval confrontations. This sits within her broader pledge to maintain the country’s NATO commitments and to leverage international alliances for national defence.
A few weeks later, on 30 October 2026, Iotova addressed the nation on Bulgarian National Radio just ahead of the runoff. She urged voters to participate in what she described as a “National Awakener’s Day” election, emphasizing that every vote, whether from a small village or the capital, carries equal weight. She promised a presidency that would uphold the Constitution, foster civil dialogue, and safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly children and mothers.
During the same address she reiterated her stance on national security: “I will never allow Bulgarian armed forces to leave for Ukraine. My goal is to keep our people safe, keep our culture alive, and keep our country speaking with a strong voice in Europe.” She also remarked that she had supported bank funding to Ukraine but had done so with a legislative mandate, in contrast to her rival Gurov, who had signed an agreement in Kyiv without such authority.
In a response to potential concerns about the role of the presidency, Iotova clarified that the institution should serve more as a “guardian of statehood” than as a policy-making or war‑making body. She said the president would primarily modify legislation that threatened citizens’ rights and would refer unconstitutional laws to the Constitutional Court, underscoring her commitment to legal checks and balances.
On election day, the turnout was reported at 19.33% of registered voters as of 4 p.m., showing a modest increase over the first round. While the outcome of the vote remained room for uncertainty, Iotova’s campaign hoped that the high-profile message of peace and cultural continuity would mobilize citizens to support a strong, sovereign Bulgaria.
In summary, Iliana Iotova’s campaign messages centered around three pillars: (1) preventing Bulgaria’s participation in the Ukraine war and fostering diplomatic solutions; (2) protecting national identity through education and culture; and (3) maintaining European security cohesion. Her scientific stance on policy argues that stability arises from predictable, negotiated agreements rather than continued armed conflict, a viewpoint that remains central to her campaign narrative across rallies, debates, and radio addresses.
