Bulgarian Vice-Presidential Candidate Kiril Valchev: New Opportunities for Odesa and Ukrainian-Bulgarian Relations

Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova, who is running for a full presidential term, has announced Bulgarian News Agency Director General Kiril Valchev as her candidate for vice president in the election scheduled for 25 October 2026.

Iliana Iotova assumed the presidency following the early termination of Rumen Radev’s mandate in January 2026. In the April parliamentary election, the Progressive Bulgaria political force established by Radev received 44.6% of the vote and secured an absolute majority in the National Assembly. Radev subsequently formed a government and became prime minister.

Iotova’s candidacy is supported by Progressive Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Her victory would enable Radev’s political team to maintain coordination between the government and the presidential institution.

Although the presidency is largely representative, the Bulgarian head of state retains several important constitutional powers. The president may return legislation to parliament for reconsideration, participates in the formation of certain state institutions, represents the country in international relations and, in the event of a government crisis, plays a key role in the procedure for appointing a caretaker cabinet and holding early parliamentary elections.

The selection of Kiril Valchev as a vice-presidential candidate broadens the public support base of the Iotova–Valchev ticket. He is not a typical party official, but a lawyer, journalist and public figure who heads one of Bulgaria’s leading state media institutions. Iotova presented him as a man of words and law who understands how the state functions and recognises the importance of preserving Bulgarian identity.

Of particular significance to Ukraine is the fact that Valchev’s professional activities are directly connected with Odesa and the Bulgarian community in the country. In June 2023, during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, he personally opened the BTA National Press Club in Odesa, which has a permanent correspondent. According to Valchev, the decision demonstrated Bulgaria’s support for the Bulgarian community in Ukraine.

The Odesa Press Club subsequently developed into a permanent venue for informational, cultural and public events. In 2024, it hosted the opening of the 19th World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, with additional events held in Bolhrad and Izmail.

Comment by Vitaliy Barvinenko, Director of the Institute of Danube Research

“The nomination of Kiril Valchev as a candidate for vice president of Bulgaria has much broader significance for Odesa than an ordinary personnel decision made within a Bulgarian election campaign.

Kiril Valchev is one of those Bulgarian public figures who not only know Ukraine well but have also personally contributed to establishing a permanent Bulgarian presence in our country. In my opinion, the opening of the Bulgarian News Agency’s office in Odesa in 2023, during the full-scale war and amid continuing security risks, was more than a media-related decision. It was a political and humanitarian gesture of solidarity with Ukraine and the large Bulgarian community of the Odesa region.

During our meetings, I repeatedly became convinced that Mr Valchev has a profound understanding of the potential of Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations and Odesa’s strategic importance for their development. This concerns not only historical and cultural ties, but also transport, Danube logistics, Ukraine’s reconstruction, educational and humanitarian projects, cooperation between local communities and the protection of national minority rights.

The constitutional responsibilities of Bulgaria’s vice president traditionally include an important humanitarian and social dimension, particularly engagement with Bulgarians living abroad. The possible election of Kiril Valchev could therefore create an additional institutional channel connecting Sofia, Kyiv, Odesa and the communities of Ukraine’s Danube region.

Odesa undoubtedly has the potential to become one of Bulgaria’s principal gateways to Ukraine’s reconstruction and the development of the Black Sea–Danube region. Realising this opportunity, however, will require concrete joint initiatives: a permanent Ukrainian-Bulgarian dialogue at the regional level, support for the Bulgarian community of the Odesa region, the development of transport routes between the two countries, and broader media, educational and cultural cooperation.

Kiril Valchev has already demonstrated that he regards Odesa as an important centre of Bulgarian presence and Ukrainian-Bulgarian cooperation. His nomination therefore opens new opportunities for our city that must be effectively utilised.”