The Industry and Research Committee and the Culture and Education Committee held a hearing with the candidate commissioner on 20 June. Following the evaluation of the committees’ coordinators, the Conference of Committee Chairs and the Conference of Presidents decided to close the hearing.

Parliament backed the appointment of Ms Mariya Gabriel by 517 votes to 77, with 89 abstentions, in a secret ballot.

Quick facts

The Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society will support the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy. She will contribute to delivering a Digital Single Market, helping to lay the groundwork for Europe's digital future with EU-wide telecommunications networks, digital services that cross borders and a wave of innovative European start-ups. She should also ensure that the right conditions are set, including through copyright law, to support cultural and creative industries and maximise their potential for the economy.

The Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society will contribute to projects steered and coordinated by Vice-President Andrus Ansip, in charge of the Digital Single Market, and Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness.