EU research commissioner resigns to head up new Bulgarian government

Mariya Gabriel

Source: © Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

Mariya Gabriel’s duties will be temporarily overseen by two senior Commission staff

The EU’s research commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, has submitted her resignation and is leaving to help Bulgaria form a new coalition government. The European Commission announced her departure on 15 March, just days after she was selected by her party’s leader, Boyko Borissov, to be Bulgaria’s next prime minister and charged with establishing a government. Gabriel has served as the European commissioner for research, innovation, culture, education and youth since 2019.