Mariya Ivanova Gabriel, proposed as Commissioner for Innovation and Youth of the European Commission.

November 13, 2019

The elected president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented on September 10, 2019 the new structure of the community executive, which highlights the constitution of eight vice presidencies.

One of those vice presidencies will be assumed by Mariya Ivanova Gabriel, who has been proposed as Commissioner for Innovation and Youth of the European Commission.

The new commissioner will assume the powers of the previous Commissioners of Research, Science and Innovation and Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, and therefore the powers related to universities and higher education. The new commissioner has listed the eight challenges on which she will focus her work in the next five years:  

1. Strengthen Europe's leadership in science

2. Ensure good conditions for innovation (and maintain it in Europe)

3. Close the innovation gap in Europe

4. Better involve citizens and regions

5. Promote international cooperation and scientific diplomacy

6. Preserve the heritage and values ​​of Europe

7. Meet the objectives of the EU long-term budget and implement Horizon Europe and Erasmus

8. Advance gender equality.

Mariya Ivanova Gabriel is a Bulgarian Citizens for European Development (GERB) policy that was European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society since July 2017, under the mandate of outgoing President Jean-Claude Juncker.