Brussels – The Commission led by von der Leyen formally has a new member. Today (November 19) the Council designated Iliana Ivanova commissioner for Innovation, research, culture, education and youth. This was the last step that was missing to make the nomination official, after the choice of the candidate by the number one of the Commission and the approval of the European Parliament, which took place last 12 September.
Ivanova’s nomination has arrived after the resignation given last May by his Bulgarian compatriot Mariya Gabrielwill be valid for the last year of the mandate of the von der Leyen cabinet, which will expire on 31 October 2024. The choice of the president of the community executive was bound by article 246 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)according to which “the vacancy caused by the resignation of a member of the Commission is filled, for the remainder of his mandate, by a new member of the same nationality”.
The Council appointed the holder of the portfolio which also includes research, culture, education and youth after the resignation of Mariya Gabriel. She will remain in office for the last year of her mandate
