It officially opens in Brussels the European nominations match. The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived today in the Belgian capital for the start of the works on European Council. On the summit table, following the informal leaders' meeting on 17 June, there are nominated for the next institutional cycle of the EU. The task of the Council is in fact to elect the President of the European Council, name the president of the European Commission andHigh Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs (these last two appointments are subject to a vote of Parliament).
Meloni's accusations on EU appointments
In a tough speech delivered yesterday in the House and Senate, Meloni rejected "in method and substance" the agreement created by the EPP, socialist and liberal negotiators on the so-called "top jobs" which provides for the reconfirmation of Ursula von der Leyen at the top of the European Commission and the appointments of the Portuguese Antonio Costa and Estonian Kaja kallas respectively as President of the European Council and as High Representative of the EU.
How will Meloni behave in Brussels?
The Italian prime minister, excluded from the games, denounced “one convent ad excludendum to the detriment of Italy" calling for respect, on the part of the European ruling groups, for the vote expressed by the citizens at elections of 8 and 9 June. It is not yet clear how Meloni will behave at the leaders' table, at present it is very difficult for the Prime Minister to get a yes to the appointments contained in the "package" put together by the EPP, S&D and Renew. Much will depend on the negotiations of these two days. Italy is asking for a vice-presidency and a commissioner with heavy responsibilities: the name of the minister for European affairs has been mentioned for some time Raffaele Fitto, which could find a place in Brussels as super commissioner for Cohesion and Recovery Plan.
EU appointments, who says no and what can happen
European sources let it be known that so far "there are three countries that have not given their consent to the agreement on appointments: theItaly,Hungary di Orbán , Slovakia di Fico“. Already yesterday Colle's outstretched hand with the words of Sergio Mattarella: “Italy cannot be ignored”. Meanwhile in Brussels the margins seem narrow: difficult to reach a blocking minority, games open in Strasbourg with the snipers. The opposition immediately goes on the attack: "Italy risks isolation." From Spain, the prime minister Sanchez shore the Macron-Scholz axis: agreement without rights. Last but not least, the spitzenkandidat von der Leyen tries to patch things up with Meloni starting from node of migrants.
European Council, what is being discussed
The agenda of the European Council is not just about top jobs. The leaders of the 27 EU states will also discuss other topics such asstrategic agenda 2024-2029,Ukraine, Middle East, security, defence, competitiveness and migrants. Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the 27 Heads of State and Government should also address the issue of progress made in the use of frozen assets of Russia to support Ukraine and its reconstruction, as well as taking stock of Kiev's path towards EU membership, in view of the first accession conference on 25 June 2024. On the security front, however, the options will be examined to increase funding for the European defense industry.
The "reassurances" for Meloni and Italy
“One thing is clear: no one respects Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni more than I do. This is a misunderstanding: sometimes we need political platforms to simplify the process." The Polish Prime Minister said it, Donald Tusk, arriving at the summit of European leaders where the appointments of EU leaders will be discussed.
“Italy is a G7 country, the third largest country, a leading country in the EU. I greatly appreciated the contribution from the Italian government, under the leadership of Antonio Tajani and Giorgia Meloni. For this reason I believe that it is fundamental for the EU to have an inclusive process to also take Italian interests into consideration. For today it is important to give stability to Europe and the three major parties in the EU, People's Party, Socialists and Democrats, and Liberals, have a special responsibility to guarantee this stability to Europe and I hope they will be able to demonstrate it. Then we will need a majority for Ursula von der Leyen in the European Parliament too." The president of the European People's Party (EPP) declared this to Parliament, Manfred weber, upon his arrival at the EPP pre-summit in Brussels. “It is important for us to support von der Leyen, but also to make it clear that all deals we make are content-based. People expect results from us on competitiveness, on the strength of the economy - which are citizens' interests - and we must solve the immigration problem: anyone who wants the support of the EPP must guarantee that they will solve the migration problem, stopping the illegal immigration to Europe,” Weber added.
