In brief
In a live BNT debate, Iliana Iotova urged Bulgarians to exercise their right to choose in the forthcoming presidential runoff and defended her record on media freedom. She criticized rival Andrey Gurov’s statements about a 2022 pardon of a convicted drug trafficker, citing that all documentation had been correctly submitted. Iotova also highlighted Kiril Valchev as a capable vice‑presidential contender and appealed to national historic pride, noting the runoff would coincide with the Day of the National Awakeners.
On Thursday, Iliana Iotova called on Bulgarians to protect their right to decide the country’s future as they head toward the November 1 presidential runoff. The statement, delivered during a live debate on Bulgarian National Television (BNT), came as Iotova faced opponent Andrey Gurov on the air, with the contest taking place on the national anniversary known as the Day of the National Awakeners – a day that commemorates Bulgaria’s historic achievements and leaders.
During the debate, Iotova positioned herself not only as a candidate but also as a defender of media freedom. She stressed her background as a journalist and a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP), saying, ‘I have always defended the media’s right to free expression.’ The candidate linked her stance on journalism to her broader campaign message of openness and transparency.
«Mr Gurov, you built your entire campaign on lies. You must know very little about the procedures for granting pardons to make such a claim,» Iotova said when questioned about her 2022 pardon of convicted drug trafficker Ognyan Atanasov on health grounds.
The former Iotova’s remarks directly responded to Gurov’s claim that she had lied about the pardon process. She explained that all necessary documents were submitted to the prosecution service and that the decision had been made by a commission appointed by then‑justices minister Nadejda Iordanova and then health minister Serbezova – officials formally tied to Gurov’s political party. The candidate emphasized that the pardon, based on humanitarian and health considerations, had followed established legal procedures.
Iotova also used the platform to introduce Kiril Valchev, her prospective vice‑presidential running mate. She described Valchev as ‘exceptionally intelligent’ and noted his familiarity with both words and law, expressing confidence that he would serve as a vice‑president with honor and dignity. When pressed to be more specific, Iotova said she had limited personal knowledge of Valchev and therefore could not elaborate on the qualities she most admired in the candidate.
Beyond the immediate electoral contest, Iotova referenced her political legacy by citing former legislator Lyuben Kornezov, commending his principled statesmanship. She said Kornezov’s honesty and lack of tolerance for intrigue or hatred laid foundational legislation for the country, implying that these values are still relevant in today’s campaign.
In personal remarks, Iotova pointed to her mother as her primary source of support during difficult times, following her father’s early death, a detail she shared with an aside that underscored the human dimension behind her public life.
The debate highlighted key civic stakes for Bulgarian citizens. The upcoming runoff will decide the nation’s highest political office, bringing to the forefront issues such as media liberty, judicial processes, and the accountability of public officials. Iotova’s emphasis on the integrity of the pardon system and her defense of free speech aim to reassure voters that the administration she proposes will uphold democratic principles.
All stakeholders—voters, political analysts, and civic groups—will be watching how Iotova’s campaign strategies unfold leading up to the election. Her insistence that Bulgarians exercise their right to choose frames the runoff as a critical civic act, linking individual voter participation to broader democratic resilience.
