The head of the European Commission accepted on Tuesday the resignation of Bulgaria's candidate to the EU's executive, Rumiana Jeleva, saying that she was to be replaced by World Bank vice-president Kristalina Georgieva, DPA reported.
Jeleva dropped her candidacy on Tuesday after massive pressure from members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who had accused her of lying on her official declaration of interests.
Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso "took note of Mrs Jeleva's withdrawal as commissioner-designate. He fully respects this personal decision," a statement released in Brussels said.
"Bulgarian Prime Minister (Boyko) Borisov has in the mean time informed President Barroso of his intention to suggest Ms Kristalina Georgieva, currently vice-president of the World Bank, as member of the European Commission," the statement said.
Barroso will meet Georgieva "as soon as possible, with a view to considering his agreement to that suggestion," the statement said.
Under EU rules, each member state nominates one commissioner, and Barroso allocates them to a portfolio. The European Parliament then conducts a confirmation hearing on each candidate.
Barroso had offered the conservative Jeleva the post of international aid commissioner, but members of the parliament (MEPs) in her hearing accused her of lying about her business interests.
Jeleva resigned on Tuesday as parliament insiders said that the socialist and liberal groups in the body were ready to block her candidacy.