The hearing of the Bulgarian nomination for European commissioner Mariya Gabriel has begun at the European Parliament in Brussels.

She has to answer 25 questions put by MEPs connected with her portfolio - digital economy and society. Gabriel laid emphasis on her experience with two European research projects, as well as her work at the parliamentary Committee of Agriculture and Rural Development during her previous term of office. She stated her priority was the full implementation of the bills endorsed by her predecessor at the post Günther Oettinger.

In her written answers to questions put to her before the hearing, the Bulgarian nominee adheres to the positions and the commitments already assumed by the European Commission in the digital portfolio – she promises to keep the schedule of adoption of legislative initiatives such as the European Electronic Communications Code, copyright and audiovisual media services reform, as well as reform with regard to unjustified geo-blocking of online content. To be given a green light by the European Parliament Mariya Gabriel has to have the support of at least two thirds of the MEPs.