In brief
At a campaign stop in Pazardzhik on 28 October 2026, Iliana Iotova vowed to keep Bulgarian troops in Bulgaria and call for swift diplomatic talks over the Ukraine crisis. She emphasized geopolitic stability, European security and the need to preserve Bulgarian cultural roots for future generations.
On 28 October 2026 in Pazardzhik, southern Bulgaria, presidential candidate Iliana Iotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev met voters to discuss national priorities. Iotova announced that, if elected, she would never allow Bulgarian armed forces to leave for Ukraine.
The candidate said she believes the only correct approach to resolving the Ukraine crisis is immediate negotiations. She warned that the security architecture of the European Union and Europe as a whole depends on general peace and called for international coordination to impose a moratorium on hostilities, sinking of ships and drone attacks.
In her remarks Iotova stressed the importance of geopolitical stability and foreign‑policy balance. She added that a key task for society is to support Bulgarian education, culture and folklore to build a sustainable value system among young people.
"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," Iotova said.
She also highlighted the need for a coordinated European response to recent escalations in the Black Sea, underscoring the role of international cooperation in preventing further conflict.
During the meeting, Iotova emphasized that Bulgaria’s cultural heritage must be preserved as part of its national identity. She portrayed this as a defense against any future crises that might threaten the country’s social fabric.
The candidate’s campaign positions align with her stated priorities of peace, national security and cultural preservation, framing them as essential to Bulgaria’s future stability.
