The leadership of the European Parliament approves Iliana Ivanova as European Commissioner

The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and the leaders of the political groups on September 6 conclusively approved the nomination of Iliana Ivanova as European Commissioner.

The EP is expected to vote during the September 12 plenary session in Strasbourg on the appointment of Ivanova as EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth until the end of the term of office the current European Commission.

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The Bulgarian candidate for the European Commission, Iliana Ivanova, was heard on September 5 by two committees in the European Parliament - industry and culture committees.

Ivanova thanked for the opportunity she was given to discuss with the MEPs the challenges facing research, innovation, education, youth, culture and sport..

“I hope that, if elected, I will work with all my strength, tirelessly, during this short time remaining of this EC tenure, to contribute as much as possible to the accomplishment of the goals of research, innovation, science, education and culture," said Iliana Ivanova.

"We were very impressed by how far and how deep she was prepared. She answered questions in an adequate and excellent way," EP Culture and Education Committee Chair Sabine Verheyen said. “The MEPs experienced today an excellent hearing,. Verheyen added.

"We need a strong Commissioner, we worked well with the previous Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, and given the hearing today - the self-confidence, the strong leadership, the good knowledge of the portfolio and the very good communication skills, I am sure that Ms Ivanova would be an excellent Commissioner," the EP Industry, Research and Energy Committee Chair Cristian Busoi said.

European Commission President proposes Iliana Ivanova as Bulgaria's European Commissioner