Bulgaria has answered the Commission president’s request and has submitted two candidacies for EU Commissioner. Ursula Von der Leyen’s decision should be based on the candidate’s integrity and competencies, not according to political favouritism, writes Yordan Terziyski.

As the European Commission grapples with selecting its next team of commissioners, a dilemma has emerged in Bulgaria that highlights the complexities of the appointment process.

The choice von der Leyen needs to make between two candidates – Ekaterina Zaharieva and Julian Popov – has brought a debate about political preference over selecting the most qualified individual for the role.

Let’s have a look at the candidates.

If selected, Ekaterina Zaharieva, a politician from Boyko Borissov’s GERB party (EPP-affiliated), could increase the Commission’s political imbalance, as more than 50% of commissioner candidates represent the political force of the Commission President.

Her tenure as foreign minister has been marked by controversial decisions, including escalating tensions with North Macedonia in 2019, in part due to her good relationship with VMRO and dealings with Russia’s Sergei Lavrov on the TurkStream pipeline. This pipeline bypassed Ukraine, bringing Russian gas across the Black Sea to Turkey. For political convenience, in Bulgaria, this pipeline was called Balkan Stream.

Conversely, Julian Popov, nominated by “We Continue the Change”, a force from the Renew Europe political family, would improve the Commission’s political balance.

Popov is renowned for his expertise in green transition policies and has demonstrated a solid pro-Ukrainian stance. His track record includes a zero-corruption policy as environment minister in Bulgaria’s reformist government led by Kiril Petkov.

While Zaharieva represents an EPP-affiliated party, it should not be overlooked that Borissov has been drifting towards Viktor Orban’s sphere of influence. He has been steadily turning more right-wing, passing extreme discriminatory laws with definitions such as “non-traditional sexuality”, voting together with the far-right “Vazrazdane” in the national parliament.

Personal credentials

Zaharieva’s selection would indeed tick the box for gender diversity. However, concerns have been raised about her association with Borissov, whose reputation for corruption linked to regional projects is questionable.

Adding to the complexity is a controversy involving Zaharieva’s husband. His design work on a so-called landslide retaining wall on a Bulgarian beach, which later became a beachfront hotel, has infuriated civil society.

While Zaharieva retorts that her husband’s professional activities should not reflect on her candidacy, the case has sparked debate about potential conflicts of interest and integrity in public service.

On the other hand, Popov brings a wealth of experience in climate and environmental issues. His balanced approach to transition fuels could bridge the gap between German and French interests, facilitating crucial compromises without compromising ecological goals.

A return to basics?

In Bulgaria’s civil society, there’s a growing sentiment that the focus should shift back to the fundamental question: who will perform the job most effectively? Observers argue that while other political considerations are important, they should not overshadow the primary goal of selecting the most capable individuals for each portfolio.

The real work of the Commission, after all, will be carried out by individuals, not by political favors to EU leaders that implicitly threaten to join the dangerous path of autocrats that threaten basic human rights and EU principles.

Looking ahead

As the selection process follows its path, the Bulgarian case serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the European Commission. It underscores the need for a nuanced approach that considers multiple factors—including qualifications, experience, and integrity—alongside the essential goals of achieving political balance.

The outcome of this decision could set a precedent for how the Commission approaches similar dilemmas in the future, potentially signalling a shift towards prioritising individual merit and expertise in the complex task of assembling a diverse and effective team of commissioners.