First Statement from the Iotova–Valchev Initiative Committee: Result Attributed to Low Voter Turnout

The result is due to low voter turnout, said Dr Stoimenov, a member of the initiative committee that nominated the presidential ticket of Iotova and Valchev.

Dr Stoimenov, Iotova–Valchev Initiative Committee: “The campaign was certainly not underestimated. Over the past few weeks, both Ms Iotova and Mr Valchev visited all the regional capitals, as well as a great many municipalities and villages. They shook thousands of hands and ran a positive campaign. According to the exit poll data, the gap between the first- and second-placed candidates appears to be small. We attribute this to the fact that society had become reassured that the country had restored its statehood following the 19 April election, but that is not the case. The political alliance with Peevski is still in place. By voting for Gyurov, people could once again end up with this alliance with Peevski, because that is precisely what happened when they were in power a year ago.”

BNT: Will you seek party support from the political formations that did not nominate their own candidate – GERB and MRF?

Dr Stoimenov, Iotova–Valchev Initiative Committee: “We will seek the support of absolutely all Bulgarian citizens.”