What Trump’s election means for Europe
Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, Piotr Buras, Anna Kuchenbecker, Maria Simeonova, and Arturo Varvelli to discuss what the outcome of the US election means for Europe
Experts & Staff
Maria Simeonova
Head of Sofia office
Areas of expertise
EU foreign policy, Bulgaria in the EU, Western Balkans
Languages
Bulgarian, English, Italian, conversational French
Biography
Maria Simeonova is the Head of Sofia office at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Her topics of focus include EU foreign policy, Bulgaria in the EU and the Western Balkans region.
Prior to joining ECFR in September 2020, Simeonova was a civil servant at the Bulgarian Ministry of Finance. She has previously completed internships at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Bulgaria to the EU, and the European Commission as a Blue Book Trainee at the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development.
Simeonova holds a BA degree in International Relations from Sofia University and an MA degree in European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. Her master’s thesis focused on coherence issues in EU external energy policy and relations with Russia.
Fool me thrice: The pattern of political instability in Bulgaria, Georgia, and Moldova
Bulgaria’s latest election is part of a regional pattern of voting irregularities, Russian disinformation, and the rise of anti-system parties, pressuring the EU’s efforts to protect democracy in its eastern neighborhood
Staying afloat: How the EU can navigate the Black Sea to counter Russian aggression
The Black Sea’s strategic importance is increasingly evident in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s weakening military capacity in the Black Sea region presents an opportunity for the EU to further its security, trade, and connectivity interests – while providing support for its littoral states
Europe is shifting: EU election results could divide Europe
In this new episode, Vessela Tcherneva welcomes head of ECFR offices to discuss national implications of the EU elections
10 Jun
ECFR’s Election Insights: Implications for Europe’s foreign policy agenda
This webinar will provide a snapshot analysis of election results and their implications for Europe’s foreign policy and security agenda. Featuring perspectives from selected ECFR…
The European pulse: the election and beyond
Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, Piotr Buras, Jana Puglierin, Maria Simeonova, José Ignacio Torreblanca, and Arturo Varvelli to discuss the European Parliament elections and the future of European politics
Hanging in the balance: How to save Bulgaria’s foreign policy from political turmoil
Facing its sixth election in three years, Bulgaria’s political instability risks marginalising Sofia’s role within the EU. To avoid this, the campaigns of pro-European politicians in the country must not lose sight of Bulgaria’s international position
8 Nov
The role of Germany in Europe in times of war: Potential for German-Bulgarian cooperation
We will discuss Germany’s role in Europe and will reflect on how the new European order is viewed in Berlin
Bulgaria’s European awakening
Bulgaria’s reformist government may have fallen, but this is a new era for the country. Policymakers should now build on Bulgarians’ growing sense of common purpose
14 Apr
Представяне на доклад – Да разцъфтят хиляди контакти: Как Китай се съревновава за влияние в България
Гледай на Фейсбук Софийският офис на Европейския съвет за външна политика има удоволствието да Ви покани на представянето на новия доклад…
Articles
Fool me thrice: The pattern of political instability in Bulgaria, Georgia, and Moldova
Bulgaria’s latest election is part of a regional pattern of voting irregularities, Russian disinformation, and the rise of anti-system parties, pressuring the EU’s efforts to protect democracy in its eastern neighborhood
Staying afloat: How the EU can navigate the Black Sea to counter Russian aggression
The Black Sea’s strategic importance is increasingly evident in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s weakening military capacity in the Black Sea region presents an opportunity for the EU to further its security, trade, and connectivity interests – while providing support for its littoral states
Hanging in the balance: How to save Bulgaria’s foreign policy from political turmoil
Facing its sixth election in three years, Bulgaria’s political instability risks marginalising Sofia’s role within the EU. To avoid this, the campaigns of pro-European politicians in the country must not lose sight of Bulgaria’s international position
Bulgaria’s European awakening
Bulgaria’s reformist government may have fallen, but this is a new era for the country. Policymakers should now build on Bulgarians’ growing sense of common purpose
Views from the capitals: Russia’s war on Ukraine
The conflict in Ukraine will change Europe forever. Experts from across ECFR’s network of offices describe the view of the war from Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Sofia, and Warsaw
Bulgaria’s abstention from the fight against climate change
Bulgaria’s abstention on the European Climate Law not only isolates the country within the EU once again but also reveals two familiar shortfalls in Bulgarian diplomacy
Podcasts
What Trump’s election means for Europe
Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, Piotr Buras, Anna Kuchenbecker, Maria Simeonova, and Arturo Varvelli to discuss what the outcome of the US election means for Europe
Europe is shifting: EU election results could divide Europe
In this new episode, Vessela Tcherneva welcomes head of ECFR offices to discuss national implications of the EU elections
The European pulse: the election and beyond
Mark Leonard welcomes Célia Belin, Piotr Buras, Jana Puglierin, Maria Simeonova, José Ignacio Torreblanca, and Arturo Varvelli to discuss the European Parliament elections and the future of European politics
Events
10 Jun
ECFR’s Election Insights: Implications for Europe’s foreign policy agenda
This webinar will provide a snapshot analysis of election results and their implications for Europe’s foreign policy and security agenda. Featuring perspectives from selected ECFR…
8 Nov
The role of Germany in Europe in times of war: Potential for German-Bulgarian cooperation
We will discuss Germany’s role in Europe and will reflect on how the new European order is viewed in Berlin
14 Apr
Представяне на доклад – Да разцъфтят хиляди контакти: Как Китай се съревновава за влияние в България
Гледай на Фейсбук Софийският офис на Европейския съвет за външна политика има удоволствието да Ви покани на представянето на новия доклад…
In the media
Across the globe, we are highlighting how different political actors are taking advantage of the simultaneous challenges we face
Maria Simeonova comments on the rise of extreme populist parties
The difference of these elections was that we saw the proliferation of small political projects that are now benefiting somewhat from this frustration
Maria Simeonova comments on the fragmentation of the Bulgarian parliament and the proliferation of small parties
The reason they are multiplying is the collision of several challenges – from the war in the Middle East, Ukraine and now in Syria, the economic crisis, fear-mongering about increasing migration flows
Maria Simeonova comments on the spread of populist parties in Europe and the world
In the Bulgarian foreign policy strategy, if we ever have one, the Western Balkans should be a region of utmost importance for Bulgaria
Maria Simeonova comments on the fragmented Bulgarian parliament and the consequences for the country’s foreign policy
The small parties entering the National Assembly don’t have clear comprehensive political programs and this will be damaging for the political process
Maria Simeonova comments on the elections in Georgia and Bulgaria and Russia’s election meddling