Iotova and Valchev enter presidential race through initiative committee

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.

• Iliana Iotova names Kiril Valchev as running mate in presidential election

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