site.btaEuropean Parliament Endorses Mariya Gabriel as EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society

Strasbourg, July 4 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - The European Parliament Tuesday backed the appointment of Mariya Gabriel as EU Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society by 517 votes to 77, with 89 abstentions, in a secret ballot.

Gabriel was nominated by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on May 16, and she was given a hearing by the European Parliament Industry and Research Committee and Culture and Education Committee on June 20. Parliament will send a letter with the voting results to the Council before the end of the week. Gabriel is expected to take office on July 12, at the next weekly meeting of the college of commissioners. She will be the third Bulgarian EU commissioner, with a term until mid-2019.

The Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society will support the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy. She will contribute to delivering a Digital Single Market, helping to lay the groundwork for Europe's digital future with EU-wide telecommunications networks, digital services that cross borders and a wave of innovative European start-ups. She should also ensure that the right conditions are set, including through copyright law, to support cultural and creative industries and maximise their potential for the economy.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani tweeted: "Congratulations to @GabrielMariya, strongly supported by the @Europarl_EN to take over a crucial Commission portfolio on the digital economy."

In his tweet, European People's Party President Joseph Daul wrote: "I am convinced Commissioner @GabrielMariya's professionalism & dedication will move forward in achieving a true #DigitalSingleMarket."