Ekaterina Zaharieva was appointed Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation by Ursula von der Leyen in 2024. As Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Zaharieva drives the EU’s ambition to put research and innovation, science and technology at the centre of Europe's economy. She fosters investment and cooperation, creating the right conditions for researchers to thrive and develop new skills, and the innovation needed for the EU’s competitiveness, security and sustainability goals.
Zaharieva has been a member of the Bulgarian parliament for many years, and has served as Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2017-2021), Minister of Justice (2015-2017), Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works (2013-2014), Head of Cabinet and Secretary-General of the President of the Republic (2012-2015), Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works (2009-2011) and Director of the Legal, Regulatory and Administrative Services Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Water (2003-2009).
She studied law the University of Plovdiv.