Articles by Ildiko Otova

August 22, 2025

The EU’s new migration pact and the limits of flexible solidarity

Ildiko Otova

A new Pact on Migration and Asylum is gradually coming into force. As it does so, Evelina Staykova and Ildiko Otova examine its solidarity mechanism, a central — but not new — element of EU migration policy. While the mechanism holds potential for positive change, it also carries significant risks

May 22, 2023

State-sponsored Holocaust distortion in Bulgaria

Ildiko Otova

Bulgaria recently celebrated the 80th anniversary of the State rescuing 48,000 Jews from deportation and death in Nazi concentration camps. On the surface, this reads like a nation-affirming narrative. But Ildiko Otova argues that the celebrations were merely another attempt to construct a mythology of Holocaust denial

April 21, 2023

Bulgaria’s political impasse

Ildiko Otova

Bulgaria has just held its fifth national election in two years. As in the previous four, there was no clear winner. The small lead for Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB-SDS) resolves nothing. Indeed, argues Ildiko Otova, it probably renders political stability even more difficult to secure

Ildiko Otova

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, New Bulgarian University

Ildiko holds a PhD in political science. She is a laureate of the Mozer Scholarship for excellence in political science studies and civil courage.

In addition to her current role, Ildiko also works as a researcher at CERMES, the Centre for Refugees, Migration and Ethnic Studies at New Bulgarian University.

Her teaching and research interests include migration and refugee issues, integration, urban policies and (e)citizenship, populism, far-right politics and extremism, and current forms of antisemitism.

Ildiko is experienced in coordinating and participating in research projects nationally and internationally, including Horizon 2020.

She is an external expert evaluating project proposals for the European Commission.

Ildiko also teaches at Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski.

She has published widely in English, French, Russian and Bulgarian.

@OtovaIldiko

@ildikootova.bsky.social‬

Bulgarian Populisms in the New Millennium
with Evelina Staykova, 2024

Migration and Populism in Bulgaria
Routledge, 2021, with Evelina Staykova

The Loop

Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.

THE EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL RESEARCH

Advancing Political Science

Join our community

© 2025 European Consortium for Political Research. The ECPR is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) number 1167403 ECPR, Harbour House, 6-8 Hythe Quay, Colchester, CO2 8JF, United Kingdom.