10/05/23 (Agence Europe) – The Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, has been nominated by the leader of her party (GERB), which won the parliamentary elections, as the next Prime Minister of her country, Bulgaria. Her task will be to try to form a government in a country that has been plunged into political instability for 2 years. The European Commission has confirmed that the Commissioner has requested “leave on personal grounds”, i.e. unpaid leave. During her absence, the Commission’s Executive Vice Presidents for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, and for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margarítis Schinás, will handle her portfolios. If Ms Gabriel confirms her departure, it will be up to the Bulgarian government to appoint a new Commissioner, who would then have to be approved by Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Parliament. Her nomination was welcomed by Manfred Weber, leader of the EPP group. (HS)