Iliana Ivanova appointed EU Commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth

The European Parliament has approved the appointment of Iliana Ivanova (Bulgaria) as Commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth.

She was voted in by 522 MEPs voting in favour with 27 against and 51 abstained.

On 5 September, the Industry, Research and Energy Committee and the Culture and Education Committee held a 3 hour hearing  with Iliana Ivanova to assess her suitability to replace Mariya Gabriel, who resigned as EU Commissioner on 15 May to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Bulgaria.

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After the hearing, both committees gave Ms Ivanova a positive evaluation, a position subsequently confirmed by Parliament’s Conference of Committee Chairs, the Conference of Presidents (EP President Metsola and political group leaders) and the full House.

The EPP Group said it fully supports the nomination of Iliana Ivanova as the new European Commissioner for the file.

Speaking after Ivanova’s parliamentary hearing, Christian Ehler MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokesman on Industry, Research and Energy, said: “Her strong and knowledgeable performance today showed again that Ms Ivanova is an excellent and well-qualified candidate.”

“We need a Commissioner that understands research, innovation and the intricacies of the implementation of the Union budget. Ms Ivanova has it all and therefore I am confident that she can effectively execute the responsibilities of the Commissioner responsible for the largest public research programme in the world. We are looking forward to working with her”, continued Ehler.

Tomasz Frankowski MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokesman on Culture and Education, stated: “After today’s hearing, I am convinced that Iliana Ivanova is the right person for this job. Our MEPs asked her very specific questions on key programmes such as Erasmus Plus, Creative Europe or the European Solidarity Corps and I have to say that Ms Ivanova not only gave very good, detailed and comprehensive answers, but she also showed a broad long-term vision for her work and actions as a future Commissioner in the areas of education, culture, youth and sport. I am looking forward to cooperating with Iliana Ivanova and her team in order to advance even further our priorities and works before the end of the term.”

Image: © European Union 2023 – EP