European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker recently met with Bulgarian commissioner candidate Mariya Gabriel, and he said intends to give her the Digital Economy and Society portfolio.
Bulgaria’s former representative on the commission, Kristalina Georgieva, announced her retirement in late last year, and Bulgaria Prime Minister Borissov recently informed Juncker of his nomination of Gabriel in her place.
Following his meeting with her, Juncker has sent a letter to the European Parliament announcing his intentions to allocate Gabriel the Digital Economy and Society portfolio, according to an announcement. She will later have an exchange of views with the parliament and, barring any issues, will be appointed to the Commission by the Council of the European Union.
As the commissioner for the digital economy and society, Gabriel would be responsible for promoting the digital single market strategy and facilitating the union’s vision for Europe’s digital future, including pan-continental telecoms networks, cross-border digital services and innovative European startups. She will work in partnership with Vice President Andrus Ansip, who is leading the digital single market efforts, and Vice President Jyrki Katainen, who manages jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness. Juncker sent Gabriel a letter explaining her future responsibilities.
