Former Bulgarian European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel could become the new NATO Deputy Secretary General. The information about the candidacy has been confirmed by Sofia and Brussels, BGNES reported. 

According to Bulgarian media, Gabriel has the international experience needed to take the responsible position. She is well known in Brussels, where she started her career as an MEP from the European People's Party, before becoming European Commissioner in the first EC led by Ursula von der Leyen. In 2023, Gabriel left the high position in Brussels to become Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Bulgaria.

Mark Rutte will become Secretary General of NATO in October. He has the right to appoint one deputy.

Truth is something that happened, the rest is just assumption. This is how GERB leader Boyko Borissov answered a question from BTA if media publications that claim former Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel is a candidate for NATO Deputy Secretary General were true. "We have done everything for a worthy candidate, such as Mariya Gabriel, to be appreciated in the world," Borissov added.