Mariya Gabriel was elected three times as a Member of the European Parliament – in 2009, 2014 and 2019. She is the first Vice-President of the European People’s Party and Vice-President of EPP Women. Gabriel was European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society (July 2017–November 2019) and European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth (December 2019-10 May 2023). From 6 June 2023 to 9 April 2024, Mariya Gabriel was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. She worked to strengthen Bulgaria’s role as an active member of the EU and NATO, a factor of stability and security in the Black Sea region, and a regional innovation leader.