Bulgaria has finally made its decision on the candidates for European Commissioner, becoming the only capital to heed Ursula von der Leyen’s request to propose both a man and a woman for the EU executive. Former foreign minister Ekaterina Zaharieva and ex-minister of ecology Julian Popov were proposed as Bulgaria’s two candidates on August 30th. This decision came after discussions between President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev. The country is currently being run by a caretaker government until elections are held on October 27th due to an ongoing political crisis.
Zaharieva, born in 1975, has had a long ministerial career, serving in various positions such as minister of regional development and public works, deputy prime minister, and minister of justice. From 2017 to 2021, she served as the foreign affairs minister. Popov, on the other hand, served briefly as the minister of environment and water in 2013 before continuing his work in environmental policy as a senior advisor to the European Climate Foundation, advocating for the transition to renewable energy. Both candidates come from different political parties, with Zaharieva representing the centre-right European People’s Party and Popov representing the centrist Renew Europe group.
Each EU member state is required to nominate an appointee for the EU executive, with the new commission set to start in office in November. Bulgaria’s decision to propose both male and female candidates comes as a response to von der Leyen’s push for gender balance within the commission. The current tally, excluding Bulgaria, includes 18 male names and just seven female names. It is not yet clear what portfolio the successful candidate from Bulgaria will be given by von der Leyen, but there is pressure for her to appoint more women to key positions within the commission.
The candidacies of Zaharieva and Popov were confirmed by Bulgaria’s EU representation in a post on X, making Bulgaria the only country to meet von der Leyen’s request by the August 30th deadline. This decision marks a significant step towards achieving gender balance within the EU executive, as more countries are urged to follow suit and propose both male and female candidates for the upcoming commission. The composition of the new commission will play a crucial role in addressing various challenges faced by the EU, and having a diverse representation is essential for tackling these issues effectively.
Despite Bulgaria’s delayed decision due to its ongoing political crisis, the country has taken a proactive approach by proposing both male and female candidates for the EU executive. Zaharieva and Popov have shown their expertise and dedication to serving in key ministerial positions, making them suitable candidates for the roles of European Commissioners. As the commission prepares to take office in November, the appointment of more women to key positions will be crucial for achieving gender equality and ensuring a diverse representation within the EU executive. This decision by Bulgaria sets a positive example for other member states to follow in promoting gender balance within the EU commission.
