Iliana Ivanova confirmed as new EU Commissioner: I will work to attract more funding for innovation, she said

At the plenary session in Strasbourg on September 12, the European Parliament approved the appointment of Iliana Ivanova as Commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth.

There is a lot of work to do and little time before the end of the European Commission's term in office, Ivanova told the media after the vote.

"I would like to thank the MEPs for their support and appreciation, and I would like to thank in particular the Bulgarian delegation for their support during my preparation. This is not the last step, the decision is subject to approval by the European Council next week."

A final election is expected around 18 September, following approval by the European Council. The Bulgarian will take over the Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, Youth and Sport portfolios and will be a Commissioner until the end of this European Commission's term in office next year.

Europe's annual innovation funding gap is €100 billion. We will work to attract more private investment, Iliana Ivanova told journalists in Strasbourg.

"If elected by the European Council, I will also work to advance European priorities such as energy security, green transition, economic growth, support for Ukraine, a level playing field, the development of innovation and others."

She noted that in the next few days she will resign as Bulgaria's representative at the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg. At the European Commission, she takes over from Mariya Gabriel, who resigned as commissioner in May to become Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Iliana Ivanova has already been approved by the EP President Roberta Metsola and the leaders of the political groups, after being heard by two parliamentary committees last week. She received positive evaluations from the industry and culture committees, which described her as an excellent candidate.