Ekaterina Zaharieva facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ekaterina Zaharieva
Екатерина Захариева
Official portrait, 2024
European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 December 2024
President	Ursula von der Leyen
Preceded by	Iliana Ivanova
Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria
In office 4 May 2017 – 12 May 2021
Prime Minister	Boyko Borisov
Preceded by	Stefan Yanev
Succeeded by	Atanas Pekanov
In office 6 August 2014 – 7 November 2014
Prime Minister	Georgi Bliznashki
Preceded by	Daniela Bobeva
Succeeded by	Meglena Kuneva
In office 13 March 2013 – 29 May 2013
Prime Minister	Marin Raykov
Preceded by	Tsvetan Tsvetanov
Succeeded by	Tsvetlin Yovchev
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 4 May 2017 – 12 May 2021
Prime Minister	Boyko Borisov
Preceded by	Radi Naidenov
Succeeded by	Svetlan Stoev
Minister of Justice
In office 18 December 2015 – 27 January 2017
Prime Minister	Boyko Borisov
Preceded by	Hristo Ivanov
Succeeded by	Mariya Pavlova
Minister of Regional Development and Public Works
In office 6 August 2014 – 7 November 2014
Prime Minister	Georgi Bliznashki
Preceded by	Desislava Terzieva
Succeeded by	Lilyana Pavlova
In office 13 March 2013 – 29 May 2013
Prime Minister	Marin Raykov
Preceded by	Lilyana Pavlova
Succeeded by	Desislava Terzieva
Parliamentary offices Member of the National Assembly In office 15 April 2021 – 19 September 2024 Constituency 13th MMC - Pazardzhik
Personal details
Born	Ekaterina Spasova Gecheva (1975-08-08) 8 August 1975 (age 49) Pazardzhik, PR Bulgaria
Political party	GERB
Other political affiliations	European People’s Party
Spouse	Angel Zahariev ​ (m. 2006)​
Education	Plovdiv University
Occupation	Politician lawyer

Ekaterina Spasova Gecheva-Zaharieva (born August 8, 1975) is a well-known Bulgarian politician. She is currently a European Commissioner, which means she works for the European Union to help manage important areas across Europe. Her current role is focused on Startups, Research, and Innovation.

Before this big job, she served as a Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2017 to 2021. She also held this position two other times between 2013 and 2014. She is a member of the GERB political party in Bulgaria.

Ekaterina Zaharieva has held many important government jobs. She was the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2021. She also served as the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Regional Development. From 2021 to 2024, she was a member of the National Assembly, which is like Bulgaria's parliament.

Early Life and Education

Ekaterina Zaharieva was born in a city called Pazardzhik in Bulgaria in 1975. She learned to speak German very well at her local college.

After college, she went to the University of Plovdiv. There, she studied law and earned her first degree. She then continued her studies to get a master's degree in law.

Political Career Highlights

Ekaterina Zaharieva started her career as a lawyer. She worked in this field until 2003. After that, she began working for the government.

• Early Government Roles

* In 2003, she became a legal advisor for the Ministry of Environment and Water. * By 2007, she was promoted to Director of Legal, Administrative, and Regulatory Services.

• Becoming a Minister

* In 2009, she officially entered politics. She became the Deputy Minister of Regional Development. * When the Minister she worked with, Rosen Plevneliev, became President of Bulgaria, he chose her for a very important role. * From March to May 2013, she served as one of the Deputy Prime Ministers. This was part of an interim government led by Marin Raykov. * She also served as the Minister of Regional Development in 2013.

Zaharieva meets with U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in Washington, D.C., on November 5, 2018.

• Key Ministerial Positions

* From December 18, 2015, to January 27, 2017, she was the Minister of Justice. * On May 4, 2017, she became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This is a very important job where she represented Bulgaria to other countries.

Zaharieva with President of Israel Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem, November 12, 2020.

• European Commissioner Role

* In August 2024, the Bulgarian government nominated her to be a new European Commissioner. * The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, chose Ekaterina Zaharieva for the role. * She is now the Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation. This means she helps lead efforts across Europe to support new businesses, scientific discoveries, and new ideas. * She officially started her five-year term on December 1, 2024.

See also

• List of foreign ministers in 2017
• List of current foreign ministers