site.btaEC Expects Sofia to Nominate Woman for Vacant Commissioner Office

The European Commission Friday voiced expectations that the new Bulgarian nominee for European Commissioner will again be a woman. The position has been vacant after Mariya Gabriel resigned about a month ago to be able to accept a position in the new government of Bulgaria. An EC spokesperson said the Commission appreciates the fact that Bulgaria has only nominated women for commissioners.

Gabriel's portfolio included Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

The EC spokesperson also said that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attaches great importance to gender equality in the distribution of Commission positions and will expect the Bulgarian authorities to nominate a woman again. 

He would not comment how he expects the nomination process to go and said it is a political process. He was unable to say whether the E has already asked Sofia to nominate a replacement for Gabriel.