Mariya Gabriel

Mariya Gabriel, born on May 20, 1979, is a prominent Bulgarian politician known for her significant contributions to both national and European politics. Currently serving as the president of the Robert Schuman Institute, she has held various influential positions throughout her career, including Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2023 to 2024.

A dedicated member of the GERB party, Gabriel's tenure in the European Commission is noteworthy. From 2019 to 2023, she served as the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and prior to that, from 2017 to 2019, she was the European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society. Her journey in the European Parliament spanned from 2009 to 2017, where she held the role of vice-president of the European People's Party (EPP) group and led the Bulgarian EPP delegation.

Gabriel's appointment to the European Commission in 2017 came as she filled a vacancy left by Kristalina Georgieva. Despite her efforts, her time in Brussels was marked by challenges, particularly in her ambition to implement a four hundred fifteen billion euro plan aimed at establishing the EU as a global tech hub.

On May 22, 2023, a coalition between GERB and We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) was formed, with Gabriel taking on the role of one of the rotating prime ministers alongside Nikolai Denkov. Her leadership continues to shape the political landscape in Bulgaria and beyond.