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ECFR Council Member nominated for role on Bulgaria's new foreign policy team

Roumyana Zheleva has officially resigned as Bulgaria's Foreign Minister. Zheleva's resignation follows her recent hearing in the European Parliament as former candidate European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. The parliamentary hearing raised controversy, as MEPs questioned Zheleva's suitability for the Commissioner role in light of an alleged conflict of interest in her financial affairs.

Replacements have already been identified for the two positions vacated by Zheleva. The Bulgarian Prime Minister today announced the official nomination of ECFR Council Member Nickolay Mladenov for the role of Foreign Minister. Nickolay Mladenov, the current Minister of Defence, will appear before Bulgarian Parliament next week to defend his suitability for the job. The next in line for Bulgaria's seat in the EU's College of Commissioners has been named as Ms Kristalina Georgieva; currently Vice President of the World Bank.

Together, Mladenov and Georgieva present Bulgaria's new foreign policy team.