On 17 September 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the new slate of Commissioner-designates, including Ekaterina Zaharieva, who was appointed as the Commissioner-designate for Start-ups, Research, and Innovation. Zaharieva, a Bulgarian politician with significant governmental experience, is now tasked with advancing the EU’s research and innovation agenda, positioning these areas as top priorities for the future. However, concerns have emerged regarding her limited background in research and technology, raising questions about her ability to effectively support the sector.
Zaharieva’s Commissioner portfolio, while involves research, is somewhat different compared to the 2019-2024 Commissioner Iliana Ivanova’s, who is responsible for “Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth”. The change reflects the EU’s heightened focus on competitiveness, outlined in its 2024-2029 strategic priorities.
With the European Parliament’s approval pending, Zaharieva faces the challenge of steering the upcoming Framework Programme 10 (FP10), especially in light of uncertainties regarding its structure and funding. Notably, FP10 was not mentioned in her mission letter, raising concerns among researchers about its future. Member of the European Parliament Eszter Lakos expressed concerns about the future of public-private partnerships within Horizon Europe and the potential implications for FP10.
Recently, von der Leyen proposed a European Research Area Act in her mission letter to Zaharieva. This initiative aims to create a unified market for research and innovation across Europe, addressing key barriers and enhancing collaboration among member states. Zaharieva’s performance will be crucial in shaping this legislative framework to ensure a robust and innovative research landscape for the future.
As the next step, the European Parliament will begin hearings with Commissioner-designates starting on 4 November 2024, where Zaharieva’s priorities and plans will be further scrutinized before the final approval.
