European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced she has approved Iliana Ivanova as Bulgaria’s next European commissioner. 

• Iliana Ivanova, Daniel Lorer are the Bulgarian candidates for European Commissioner
  

She thanks the second nominee Daniel Lorer in a statement issued by the EC President after her meeting with the two. Iliana Ivanova will be in charge of innovation, research, culture, education and youth. This means she will be implementing the EU’s research and development programme and will have to “enhance the performance of the EU's research spending and achieve a better impact on the ground,” Ursula von der Leyen said.

Iliana Ivanova wrote on Facebook it was an honour to be entrusted with one of the most important portfolios connected with the future of Europe, adding that she would now have a hearing at the European Parliament and will have to be approved by the European Council.