In May 2023, Mariya Gabriel stepped down after three and a half years on the post as European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth to become Bulgaria’s Alternate Prime Minister under a new coalition agreement.
The new Commissioner-designate Iliana Ivanov has been a member of the European Court of Auditors since 2013. Beforehand, she was a former member of the European Parliament (between 2009 and 2012). During her term in the Parliament she was a vice chair of the Committee on budgetary control.
About Ivanova, President von der Leyen stated “her experience is crucial in carrying forward the implementation of the EU’s flagship research programme, Horizon Europe, to enhance the performance of EU’s research spending and achieve a better impact on the ground.”
Ivanova herself tweeted “It is an honor to accept the nomination for Bulgarian Commissioner. I thank the President for giving me the chance to advocate for the future of the EU by entrusting me with the role of Commissioner.” Before being officially in office, Ivanova will need to go through a parliamentary vetting process, meaning that she will be quizzed by the competent parliamentary committee: CULT (Culture and Education) and ITRE (Industry and Research).”
