Mariya Gabriel has been put forward as the new commissioner responsible for the digital economy and society portfolio following the resignation of her Bulgarian compatriot Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva, who left at the end of 2016 to join the World Bank. On 20 June, Gabriel appeared before Parliament's industry and culture committees who questioned her to assess her suitability. She told MEPs her main priority as commissioner would be to ensure he successful implementation of existing initiatives.



“A two-year mandate is short and I am fully aware of that,” Gabriel said, adding that she would focus on issues such as the end of roaming charges, the portability of content, the reallocation of spectrum for broadband internet, copyright reform and the wifi4eu initiative, which aims to offer free wi-fi connectivity in public spaces across the EU.



Gabriel, who has been serving as MEP since 2009, said regarding the digital transformation taking place: “We have a revolution ahead of us that we have to take care of." She pointed to the loss of jobs, the need for reinvention of business models, gender inequality and the digitalisation of public services as some of the challenges posed by this transformation. EU policy in this field should focus on the benefits for citizens and their rights, she said.



MEPs will vote whether to approve her appointment during the plenary session at the beginning of July.