Kristian Vigenin: It is time for decisions, it is time for a different Bulgaria

„The Bulgarian representative received a modest portfolio, as we expected, start-ups, research and innovation. Bulgaria as a country is at the bottom in this field, and it is also unclear how this portfolio matches the expertise and experience of the Bulgarian commissioner-designate.“ This was the comment of the head of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament and Deputy Chair of the BSP Kristian Vigenin on the distribution of portfolios in the next European Commission announced today.

He drew attention to the fact that the portfolio is similar to that of Mariya Gabriel and Iliana Ivanova in the previous term, which raises questions about whether Ursula von der Leyen was not simply “coasting”.

By way of comparison, Vigenin pointed out that for the first time a Romanian European commissioner will be an executive vice-president, referring to Roxana Minzatu, who will be responsible for people, education, social rights and skills.

The portfolios in the next European Commission

„The future European Commission will be dominated by representatives of the EPP and of the far right. Giving a portfolio such as cohesion policy to a representative of a far-right party, when in the last term this was the portfolio of a Portuguese socialist, may turn out to be a rather bad sign for the future of cohesion policy, which is so important for Bulgaria“, the Bulgarian MEP also commented.

In his words, the distribution of some of the other portfolios is also puzzling, and yesterday’s resignation of the outgoing French commissioner Thierry Breton confirms the feeling that Ursula von der Leyen prefers to surround herself with people who will not challenge her and who will agree with every decision she takes. „I am not surprised, but this is a short cut to failure“, Vigenin believes.

In his view, the hearings of the commissioner-designates in the relevant parliamentary committees next month will show whether the European Parliament will accept every proposal or will show character.