Bulgaria presidential candidates present platforms ahead of October 25 vote

Bulgaria is currently in the midst of a presidential election campaign, with 27 presidential pairs registered for the vote scheduled for October 25.

Candidate Boris Anzov and his running mate Branimir Mitchev have positioned themselves as an alternative to the current political landscape. Anzov has expressed a desire for a ‘total cleanup’ of the political system, alleging that certain politicians are beholden to foreign interests. His platform includes controversial stances, such as labeling people of different sexual orientations as a national security issue and calling for Iliana Yotova to leave the presidency. Anzov also suggested that Bulgaria should play a leading role in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Another competing pair, Georgi Dimov and General Dimitar Shivikov, also present themselves as an alternative to the status quo. Dimov has criticized Bulgaria's dependence on Brussels, the United States, and the West, characterizing the country as a hostage to foreign interests. Their campaign follows a lack of unification within the patriotic political camp.