Bulgaria picks new EU commissioner

SOFIA: Bulgaria's new conservative government on Wednesday nominated European lawmaker Mariya Gabriel as its European Commission candidate to replace Kristalina Georgieva who unexpectedly quit last year.

Georgieva resigned from her role as EU budget head in October 2016 to become chief executive officer at the World Bank, after she lost the race for UN secretary general earlier that month.

Her portfolio was handed to Germany's ex-EU Digital Economy and Society Commissioner Guenther Oettinger in January.

Bulgaria's foreign ministry said Gabriel was likely to vie for Oettinger's digital portfolio.

Gabriel, 37, has served as an MEP from Borisov's GERB party since 2009.

She has been vice-president of the European People's Party group since 2014, focusing on migrant issues, women's rights and gender equality and agriculture and rural development.

She has a Master's degree in comparative politics and international relations and is fluent in French and English.

Gabriel is expected to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker later this week before being vetted by the European Parliament.