Meloni to decide on support for von der Leyen after ECR meeting

2 months ago 13

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will reveal her position on whether she will support a second term for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after the latter presents her programme to Meloni’s hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group on Tuesday, just days before EU lawmakers confirm her candidacy in a secret ballot.

While some groups have already declared whether they support von der Leyen’s second term as head of the EU executive, Meloni’s ECR group remains undecided.

“Von der Leyen will meet with ECR. Based on what she says, we will discuss with the other delegations, evaluate, and decide,” Meloni told journalists in Washington after the NATO summit on Friday evening.

Meloni may either support or abstain, depending on the programme that von der Leyen will present to the ECR group on Tuesday morning and then outlines in Parliament.

Meloni prioritises Italy, not ECR

Speaking to the press, Meloni stressed that her primary responsibility in these negotiations is her role as prime minister rather than as leader of the ECR.

“I want to achieve the best possible result. Italy’s role must be recognised,” she said.

A crucial part of the discussions will be the possible appointment of the Italian commissioner, widely expected to be European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto, and the specific portfolios to be allocated to Italy.

In practice, Meloni’s support for von der Leyen’s re-election is optional, as the pro-EU coalition theoretically has a majority. However, there is always the risk of defections as the vote is secret.

Meloni’s decision could influence her 27 MEPs, one of the largest delegations in the European Parliament, but not necessarily all ECR members.

Regarding the vote for von der Leyen’s re-election, the ECR group “will give its delegations the freedom to vote as they wish”, said Nicola Procaccini, co-president of the Conservatives and Reformists group, on Friday.

“There has always been freedom of movement and decision for individual delegations within our group. Five years ago, the Fratelli d’Italia delegation did not vote for the Commission president, while the Polish PiS delegation did.”

The group’s spokesman, Michael Strauss, announced on the same day that the delegations from Poland, Romania and France would vote against von der Leyen’s second term in office.

(Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)