Gyurov challenges Iotova to a debate – Iotova bets on her peace message
"It is not the time for pats on the back," Andrey Gyurov said. Iliana Iotova blamed low turnout on GERB not fielding a candidate and urged people to vote in the run-off.
Archive image · Photo: President.bg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5 bg (cropped and resized)
Andrey Gyurov has invited Iliana Iotova to an "open, honest and civilised debate" on how the president's powers should be used. "It is not the time for pats on the back, a lot of work lies ahead," he told reporters on election night. The vote "will not be decided in party headquarters," he said, adding that his team had not spoken to any party headquarters and would seek support only from citizens.
Iotova thanked voters who "came and were not intimidated." It was an illusion to think the country could be changed without voting, she said. The non-participation of the "second political force" had affected turnout, she added – GERB did not field its own candidate. Asked whether she would seek backing from GERB and DPS, she said her messages were addressed "to all Bulgarian citizens."
Ahead of the run-off, the incumbent wants her message of peace "to be heard." Her running mate Kiril Valchev in turn invited Georgi Kandev to a debate and said he hoped Bulgaria would elect a woman as president for the first time.