On 27 November 2024, the European Parliament approved a new European College of Commissioners, officially taking effect with qualified majority of the European Council on 1 December 2024. Among the new Commissioners are Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare; and Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation. Zaharieva, a lawyer by training, held several government posts under former Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. Was deputy minister of regional development and public works, justice minister, and then finally minister for foreign affairs until 2021. Várhelyi has 20 years experience in various capacities working for the EU, including heading the Hungarian Permanent Representation, and most recently serving as European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.
Find out more about these important Commissioners, their backgrounds and portfolios, here.