Ekaterina Zaharieva

At-a-Glance

European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission (since December 2024)
Served as Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2017-2021, 2013-2014)
Held ministerial roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs (2017-2021), Minister of Justice (2015-2017), and Minister of Regional Development (2013-2014)
Member of the GERB party
Graduated in law from the University of Plovdiv

Biography

Ekaterina Zaharieva is the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, a position she assumed on December 1, 2024, following her nomination by the Bulgarian Government. She was elected to the College of Commissioners by the European Parliament on November 27, 2024.

Prior to her current role, Zaharieva had an extensive political career in Bulgaria. She served as Deputy Prime Minister on two occasions, from 2017 to 2021 and again from 2013 to 2014.