President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has nominated Iliana Ivanova as the next Commissioner-designate from Bulgaria. She will replace Mariya Gabriel and oversee the department of Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.  

Since 2013 Ivanova has been a member of the European Court of Auditors. Between 2009 and 2012 she was a member of the European Parliament, during which time she took the role of vice chair of the Committee on budgetary control.  

President von der Leyen highlighted Ivanova’s experience, stating that it “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 her official inauguration, Ivanova will have to go through a parliamentary vetting process, meaning she will be questioned by the relevant parliamentary committee: CULT (Culture and Education) and ITRE (Industry and Research). 

Ivanova would follow Mariya Gabriel in office, who stepped down from her post in May 2023 after more than three years in order to become Bulgaria’s Alternate Prime Minister under a new coalition agreement.