The
formation of an
initiative committee to nominate Iliana Iotova (the current President) and Kiril Valchev (Director-General of BTA) as presidential and
vice-presidential candidates in the October 25 elections has begun in Sofia.
Among the members of the initiative committee are former
National Assembly
Speaker Vezhdi Rashidov, former Deputy Prime Minister Krasimir Karakachanov,
and Iliana Raeva, President of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.
Prominent public figures have also voiced their support, including polar
explorer Prof. Christo
Pimpirev, archaeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov, the grande dame of Bulgarian music, Lili
Ivanova, and former captain of the Bulgarian national volleyball team Vladimir
Nikolov, Nova TV reported.
“Iliana Iotova could be a very balanced and excellent
unifier, but when necessary, she can also be brave and uncompromising”, Iliana Raeva said.
Iliana Iotova has been President of Bulgaria since January 23, 2026. She
assumed office after the Constitutional Court terminated Rumen Radev’s
presidential powers following his resignation. Until then, Iotova had served as Vice President during both of Radev’s terms, beginning in 2017.
Edited by Miglena Ivanova
Translated by Kostadin Atanasov