Mariya Gabriel has been selected as Bulgaria’s candidate to replace Kristalina Georgieva, who resigned from her post as budget and human resources Commissioner at the end of 2016. In a letter to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, newly re-elected Prime Minister Boyko Borissov informed him about the decision. Gabriel’s portfolio has not yet been confirmed. Following Georgieva’s resignation, Günther H. Oettinger took over her budget and human resources portfolio and the digital economy and society portfolio was temporarily allocated to Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip.
Juncker will meet with Gabriel next week for an interview to determine her suitability for the role. She will also exchange views with her fellow MEPs, as part of the procedure.
Gabriel has been an MEP since 2009 and a Vice-Chair of the EPP Group since 2014.