Iliana Ivanova and Daniel Laurer have been nominated as Bulgaria’s two candidates for the position of European Commissioner. They are set to replace Maria Gabriel, who recently became Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. The nominations were made by GERB and PP-DB, respectively, and were officially announced yesterday. Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov had requested both parties to provide one name for consideration.
The decision on the new European Commissioner will be made by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, who has shown a particular interest in promoting gender equality within the commission. The nominations will be presented by Prime Minister Denkov during his first visit to Brussels next week.
However, the focus now shifts to the portfolio that the Bulgarian commissioner will be assigned. Vice President Iliana Yotova has raised concerns about the decision-making process, urging that it should not be made “in the dark.” In a Facebook post, she expressed doubt about whether the focus is on finding the right person for the job or simply finding a job for a person. Yotova’s comments were answered by Maria Gabriel, who highlighted her previous responsibility for the largest program in the world for science and innovation during her four-year tenure.
Iliana Ivanova, the candidate nominated by GERB, is an established economist and a familiar face in European institutions. She played a role in preparing GERB’s anti-crisis program, which helped the party enter politics in 2009. Ivanova holds a master’s degree in International Finance from Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona. She has been a member of the European Court of Auditors since 2013 and currently serves as the Dean of Audit Unit II – Investments for Cohesion, Growth, and Inclusion. Ivanova is fluent in English, French, German, and Russian.
Daniel Laurer, the candidate nominated by PP-DB, is described as the engine behind the party “We Continue the Change.” He has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and has a successful business and investment career. Laurer graduated in Computer Science and Business Management from Tel Aviv and has lived and worked in various cities, including Barcelona, Zurich, Brussels, and Tel Aviv. He is known for his work in startups and is currently an IT engineer at Mercury Interactive. Laurer has also served as the Minister of Innovation and Growth in the “Petkov” Cabinet. He is fluent in English, Hebrew, French, Russian, and some German.
The decision on the new Bulgarian European Commissioner will have significant implications for the country’s representation and influence within the European Union. The portfolio assigned to the commissioner will also determine their responsibilities and areas of focus. The final decision rests with President Ursula von der Leyen, who will consider the nominations and their qualifications before making her choice.
What criteria will President Ursula von der Leyen consider when making the final decision on the new European Commissioner for Bulgaria?
Iliana Ivanova and Daniel Laurer have emerged as Bulgaria’s nominees for the position of European Commissioner, replacing Maria Gabriel who recently stepped down to take on the roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. The nominations, announced by GERB and PP-DB, were made in response to a request from Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov for each party to put forth a candidate.
The final decision on who will become the new European Commissioner rests with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who has shown a strong commitment to promoting gender equality within the commission. Prime Minister Denkov is expected to present the nominations during his upcoming visit to Brussels next week.
While the focus now shifts to determining the portfolio that the Bulgarian commissioner will be assigned, Vice President Iliana Yotova has raised concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process. Yotova voiced her belief that the selection should not be made “in the dark” and expressed doubt over whether the priority is finding the most suitable candidate. Her concerns were shared in a Facebook post.
As the selection process continues, all eyes will be on Brussels to see who will fill the crucial role of European Commissioner for Bulgaria.
“Iliana Ivanova and Daniel Laurer bring a fresh perspective and expertise to the table as Bulgaria’s candidates for European Commissioner. With their knowledge and dedication, they have the potential to effectively represent Bulgaria’s interests at the European level.”
Iliana Ivanova and Daniel Laurer: Bulgaria’s Top-notch Candidates for European Commissioner. Excited to see the expertise and experience they bring to the table. Bulgaria can rest assured its interests are in capable hands!