Iotova: It’s an illusion to think we can change Bulgaria without voting

Incumbent President and presidential candidate Iliana Iotova voiced concern over low voter turnout at a briefing after the polls closed. “I want to tell Bulgarian citizens that it is an illusion to think that we can change anything in the country by not voting. We have a great deal to change in the years ahead to prevent our country from returning to a period of stagnation, during which we missed so many opportunities amid division and confrontation. Bulgaria’s prosperity lies ahead in the coming years. We will ensure that Bulgaria becomes a guarantor of security for the entire continent”, she said.

• Andrey Gyurov: I invite Ms Iotova to an open, honest and civilised debate

Iliana Iotova said she wanted to be a “president of peace”, stressing that there can be no security or prosperity without peace. She also emphasized that Bulgaria must pursue a sovereign foreign policy in cooperation with its partners.

In her view, the decision of the second-largest political force, GERB-SDS, not to participate in the election had a negative impact on voter turnout.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov