Czech conservative leader not against von der Leyen, Meloni remains cautious

5 months ago 22

Despite having only two national leaders, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), represented by Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Czechia’s Petr Fiala, aim to have a bigger say in the allocation of the EU’s top jobs, after their sister parties won a large number of seats in the European Parliament, in last week’s European Elections.

After winning 76 seats last week, and establishing itself as the fourth biggest group in parliament, the ECR will now play a significant role in shaping the leadership of the EU.

In the coming weeks, the group could gain even more seats from the newly elected, but not yet affiliated members of the European parliament (MEPs): in addition to Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz, and the Czech coalition, Oath and Motorists.

The two ECR-affiliated leaders are attending the European Council meeting this Monday (17 June) in Brussels, where EU member states are expected to pre-name the three people to hold the highest level jobs in the EU for the next five years.

This package currently floated includes von der Leyen as the president of the European Commission, António Costa as European Council head, Kaja Kallas as European diplomacy chief, and Roberta Metsola continuing as European Parliament president.

Incumbent European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen could also be re-elected by the Parliament thanks to the support of her centre-right party (EPP), the Socialists, and the Liberals mid-July.

The ECR’s lack of numbers in the Council or Parliament means they will most likely not topple her. However considering the increased influence of their MEPs in the next term, von der Leyen is likely to try and keep them on her side.

Czechia has shown a willingness to back von der Leyen’s continued leadership in exchange for a significant portfolio in the new Commission college.

Italy, however, remains cautious, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni yet to reveal her stance, with internal discussions focusing on securing strategic roles within the EU institutions.

ECR’s manifesto promotes a Europe of sovereign nations, respecting local differences while cooperating on free trade and cultural exchange, enhancing European security, and focus on migration flow management through comprehensive border security strategies.

As well as a revision of the Green Deal, with a focus on a balanced, localised climate strategy, prioritising socio-economic well-being and addressing the concerns of farmers, livestock breeders, and small businesses.

Italy’s cautious approach

Accepting her limited power on who will be Commission President, Meloni said “The choice belongs to the EPP,” reflecting that the largest political group in the Parliament, the European Peoples’ Party, (EPP), will be given the head of the EU executive.

But “when the proposal comes, we will obviously make our evaluations,” she stated at the G7 summit’s concluding press conference.

She has also stressed Italy should have a strong role in the next EU Commission.

While official discussions about potential commission roles have not commenced within Italy’s governing coalition, governing parties other than Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia, (FdI) – namely those from the EPP – could try to secure their say in the Italian nomination.

As a senior member of Meloni’s party acknowledged, securing both a commissioner and a vice-presidency in the European Commission would be “a miracle by Giorgia.”

Italy did not hold a European Commission vice-presidency in the last term, but it might be entitled to this position in the new Commission.

Complications could arise, however, if she were to advocate for a commissioner from her own party.

Since Meloni is part of the ECR group, which is expected not to be part of the new European Parliament majority coalition, it is unclear whether a member her FdI will be accepted as a European Commission vice-president.

This issue could be avoided if the candidate had been from Forza Italia, another major party within the Italian government and part of the EPP group. To prevent consolidating too much power within Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani’s party, a more technical candidate might be considered.

Potential candidates include non-partisan figures like Elisabetta Belloni, Director of the Department of Information Security, and former ministers from the Draghi government: Roberto Cingolani, Daniele Franco, and Vittorio Colao.

However, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto (FdI), expressed opposition to a technical candidate. “In my opinion, we will have an Italian commissioner in a significant role because, at this moment, there is no stronger European leader than Giorgia Meloni. And I hope it will be a politically affiliated commissioner, because the technocrats have already caused too much damage,” he told La Verità on Monday (17 June).

A Czech done deal?

A Czech diplomat confirming to Euractiv, their government is willing to potentially support a discussed “top job” package.

In return for its support, Czechia seeks a significant portfolio within the Commission, ideally competition or the internal market.

MEP Alexandr Vondra (CZ,ECR) emphasised the need for the European Commission to be “less revolutionary, less bureaucratic, and less ideological.”

However, he acknowledged von der Leyen’s recent policy shifts.

“We (in ECR) perceive that she is adapting her policies a little bit to the new situation. There are these phrases about how we cannot ignore the needs of industry, the economy and so on. I welcome that,” Vondra told Euractiv Czechia last month.

[Edited by Aurélie Pugnet / Rajnish Singh]