Campaign trail: Iotova on statehood, Gyurov on energy, Kostadinov on the army

Two weeks before Bulgaria's Oct. 25 presidential election, the leading candidates campaigned across the country on Saturday. Incumbent President Iliana Iotova, running with Kiril Valchev, met residents in Plovdiv, Asenovgrad and Rakovski. She said solving the country's major problems starts with restoring statehood and respect for the rules, that the war must stop and that Bulgaria needs a sovereign foreign policy. Opening a regional agricultural fair near Asenovgrad, she called for a national program to save rural areas.

Andrey Gyurov, whose running mate is Kandev, said in Stara Zagora that he envisions the city again becoming the country's energy heart within 20 years, with new capacity, technology and jobs. He faulted past governments for starting projects without finishing them and said he would not promise to be a savior but would be clear about who bears the costs of decisions.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov, running with Petar Volgin, predicted in Montana that those in power would face unpleasant surprises on Oct. 25. Asked about the Black Sea ship attacks, he said the army has about 12,000 troops with an average age of 41, outdated equipment and no anti-drone system.