Sophia Makes a Last-Minute Decision - Bulgaria's Only Capital to Follow Von der Leyen's Request
Bulgaria to designate Former Foreign Minister Zaharieva and Popov as its European Commission Nominees
The Bulgarian government has heeded Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's call, defying the norm by presenting two prospective European Commissioners: Ekaterina Zaharieva and Julian Popov.
This move comes after a late-night discussion between President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, which was finally confirmed on Bulgaria's EU representation's X post. The country is the only capital to abide by the August 30th deadline requesting both male and female candidates.
Zaharieva, a seasoned diplomat and politician born in 1975, is the GERB party's candidate secured from the conservative European People's Party. Conversely, We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, a centrist party affiliated with the liberal Renew Europe group, has proposed their contender, Julian Popov. A crucial requirement, each EU member nation must select an appointee ahead of the November inauguration. Yet, Bulgaria's persistent political crises have delayed this process, resulting in a caretaker government led by the conservatives, in control until elections scheduled for October 27th.
Ekaterina Zaharieva - A Practiced Diplomat
Zaharieva's distinguished ministerial career began in 2013 when she assumed the role of minister of regional development and public works. Under Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki, she later became deputy prime minister of economic policy and administrative reform. Her subsequent appointments include serving as minister of justice in the second Boyko Borissov government and foreign affairs minister from 2017-2021.
Von der Leyen's new commissioner will oversee startups, research, and innovation. Zaharieva's role is crucial as she actively promotes innovation across the EU, advocating for not only regulatory reform to support businesses but also the reduction of fear of failure among European entrepreneurs - a barrier believed to hinder innovation and growth.
The Mysterious Julian Popov
Julian Popov, the candidate proposed by We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, is recognized for his work in environmental policy. He held the post of minister of environment and water for a brief term in 2013 and later became a senior advisor for the European Climate Foundation, advocating renewable energy transitions. Details regarding his proposed portfolio within the European Commission remain unclear.
Von der Leyen faces pressure to appoint more female commissioners, as the current list, excluding Bulgaria, includes 18 male names and only seven female commissioners. The significance of this representation shift is essential in promoting gender balance and diversity within the commission.
This story has been updated to reflect the official X post by Bulgaria's EU representation.
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- Bulgaria
- The Bulgarian government, in a move linked to General News and Politics, has proposed Ekaterina Zaharieva, a Bulgarian born in 1975 and a seasoned diplomat, as a representative for the European Commissioner shortcuts in policy-and-legislation, specifically overseeing startups, research, and innovation.
- Commissioner Julian Popov, linked to the centrist party We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, is yet to have his proposed portfolio within the European Commission declared, but his focus has been on environmental policy and renewable energy transitions.
- Ursula von der Leyen, as the Commission President, is under pressure to propose more female commissioners to promote gender balance and diversity within the commission, with the current list excluding Bulgaria having 18 male names and only seven female commissioners.
- Ekaterina Zaharieva, known for her stint as foreign affairs minister, will now be advocating for regulatory reform and reducing fear of failure among European entrepreneurs, linking her role to innovation and economic growth.
