Bulgaria nominates Ekaterina Zaharieva and Julian Popov for EU commissioner

The Bulgarian government has nominated Ekaterina Zaharieva and Julian Popov as candidates for the European commissioner position, adhering to the request of Ursula von der Leyen for gender-balanced nominations. Zaharieva, who served as Bulgaria's foreign minister from 2017 to 2021, has also held positions as minister for justice and regional development. She is proposed for the role overseeing regional and cohesion policy, which is crucial as it manages a significant portion of the EU budget through the European Regional Development Fund. Julian Popov, previously the minister of environment and water, is suggested for the energy portfolio, a highly sought-after position within the European Commission. His background includes serving as a political adviser for Central and Eastern Europe at the European Climate Foundation, which positions him well for this role. Bulgaria's decision to nominate both a woman and a man stands out, as it is the only country to have publicly followed von der Leyen's guidance. Prior to Bulgaria's announcement, the gender disparity in nominations was evident, with only six women nominated compared to 17 men. This move not only reflects Bulgaria's commitment to gender balance in leadership roles but also highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving equal representation within the European Commission. As the nomination process continues, the implications of these choices will be closely monitored, particularly in terms of how they influence policy direction and gender representation in the EU.