The coalition behind European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would reach an agreement with the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR) as it was the only way for her to get a second mandate, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani stated.
Tajani told Corriere della Sera on Monday that von der Leyen would get a second mandate. He has been vice president of the European People’s Party (EPP) for 22 years. There was no doubt that von der Leyen would “pass the vote, but she will be forced to open up to the conservatives, and I believe she will do so,” Tajani claimed.
Until the 18th, I will work towards this. We need to open up to the conservatives, led by Meloni, if we want to ensure that von der Leyen gets the votes. For the sake of stability, it is important that the supporting majority is broad and certain.
The Italian deputy prime minister noted that talks between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and von der Leyen were progressing. He also pointed out that “she [von der Leyen] needs the votes of the Fratelli d’Italia (FdI) to be sure of her election.”
Tajani is calling for a broader coalition supporting von der Leyen’s second presidency, as a secret ballot could risk some MEPs voting against her. In this scenario, the more than 70 members of the ECR, which is now the third largest parliamentary group in Europe, would play a crucial role.
I protested at the EPP [pre-summit] meeting for more attention to be paid to our [Italy’s] requests.
He also believes that Italy “has the right to an important position” in the new EU executive and that “it cannot be without an important commissioner and vice-president.” According to Tajani, European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto, a member of Meloni’s FdI, would fulfil all the requirements.
The commissioner must have certain characteristics: knowledge of the Brussels machinery, being known, and being able to pass the hearings. Fitto meets all these requirements.
