EU appointments, the white smoke on top jobs in the end it came with the exception, however, of Italy remaining in the trenches and saying no. European leaders lock down the agreement crafted by popular, socialists and liberals and they hand over the keys to the Europe that will come again Ursula von der Leyen. The yes to the triad that the German will form for the next five years with Kaja kallas in the role of High Representative of the EU e Antonio Costa to guide the work of the European Council he found the qualified – strengthened – majority necessary around the Europe building table. But, despite the tight negotiations led by the EU People's Party to also convince the excluded Giorgia Meloni, Italy has rejected the agreement abstaining on the name of von der Leyen and voting against the Estonian and Portuguese candidates. A "no" that distances Italy from Europe. Furthermore, at the summit there was an agreement on the security ofUkraine with the president Volodymyr Zelensky, the Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán for now confirm the veto on military aid.
EU appointments, what happened at the European Council
On the night in which the European Council gives the green light to the new top positions of the EU, Prime Minister Meloni abstains, therefore, on the reconfirmation of von der Leyen e vote no to the nomination of the Portuguese socialist Antonio Costa and the Estonian liberal Kaja Kallas. In fact, Meloni opts for the hard line after thundering at home against the “logic of fireplaces” and the convent ad excludendum which - according to him - the EPP, S&D and Renew would have implemented towards Italy by pre-packaging their "package" on appointments for top jobs.
At the end of the proceedings, first with a tweet and then during a press point, Meloni reiterates his position: "The proposal formulated by the popular, socialists and liberals for the new European summits - underlines the leader of the Brothers of Italy - is wrong in method and substance. I decided not to support it out of respect for the citizens and the indications given by those citizens they arrived with the elections".
EU appointments, what can happen now
While awaiting the pronouncement of the European Parliament, which - as per the rules - will still have to express its opinion on the nomination of von der Leyen (the date to keep in mind is 18 July, with a minimum threshold of votes needed equal to 361 taking into account the fact that, to date, popular, socialists and liberals can count on 399 placet), the spotlight is now on the negotiations for the assignment of commissioners: “We continue to work to finally give Italy the weight it deserves in Europe,” says the Prime Minister. And here now a new game is being played.
Once the curtain has fallen on the European Council, the first of the new legislature, sources at Palazzo Chigi explain the ratio of Meloni's choice and – reports theAdnkronos – they point out how, in front of the leaders of the other 26 EU countries, the Italian prime minister expressed her opposition to the method that the popular, socialist and liberal negotiators followed in choosing the profiles, voting against Costa and Kallas. As regards the nomination of von der Leyen as president of the Commission, the same sources underline, "it was decided for an abstention vote in compliance with the different evaluations between the parties of the government majority" where coexist different orientations of Antonio Tajani, leader of Forza Italia, which supports the EPP candidate von der Leyen, and that of Matteo Salvini, at the helm of the League, which instead senses "a coup d'état" regarding the new appointments.
Palazzo Chigi is now waiting to know von der Leyen's "programmatic lines" and "open a negotiation on Italy's role". A role that Rome intends to assert by asking for a vice-presidency of the Commission and a commissioner with heavy responsibilities: among the names in question is that of the Minister for European Affairs Raffaele Fitto, which could settle in Brussels as Commissioner for Cohesion and the Recovery Plan. But the name of is also circulating Guido Crosetto to whom the proxies for the DEFENSE. For the post of commissioner, Italy's proposal should move up Elisabetta Belloni. But the France di Emmanuel Macron, dealing with next Sunday's legislative vote, would like exactly the same delegations as regards the vice-presidency. So?
Meloni's strategy
It is Meloni herself, late at night, who reiterates her line in front of reporters: “I think that Italy must assert its role, its weight and the indications of its citizens. Italy – he assures – will be given what it deserves, not because of the sympathies expressed by the government but because it is a founding country and is the third largest European economy. It is a necessity for Europe to work well with Italy. I have earned respect among my colleagues because I am used to saying things as I think them. I am respected because I am not two-faced." The prime minister says she doesn't believe in the possibility of one retaliation against Italy after his no tonight: “If that were the case it would be shameful. I exclude it." Possible support in Parliament for Ursula's encore, explains the resident of Palazzo Chigi, will depend on the measures that the head of the EU executive intends to implement and on the weight that will be given to Italy: "The issue is not Ursula von der Leyen but what are the policies he intends to carry forward. As also happens with the other names that have been mentioned (Costa and Kallas, ed) we have no answers."
Ecr, divided group: the Polish moves and the risks
On appointments, the same ecr (European Conservatives and Reformists, Meloni's political group in the EU) has proven anything but solid. The Czech Prime Minister Peter Fiala for example, the only other Conservative leader on the Council has given his approval to top jobs. And what about another of the protagonists of the sovereignist front, the Hungarian Viktor Orbán, his position was shown to be against von der Leyen, in favor of Costa and abstention on Kallas. Meloni, however, does not want to hear talk of isolation: “I think that Italy's role is not to wait for what others do and follow along. I have always been convinced that leadership lies in the fact that someone realizes that you exist." Meanwhile in the European Parliament the Ecr group is grappling with the first, possible rift with the Polish Pis.
“They are negotiating positions in Ecr. We'll see each other again next week and see how it ends", they explain again toAdnkronos Ecr's Italian sources commenting on the interview with Politico of the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who said that his party, the Pis, is exploring the possibility of creating a Central and Eastern European group in the European Parliament. In the event of the departure of Polish parliamentarians, Meloni's group would have to say goodbye to the third position as the largest group in the European Chamber, with obvious repercussions on its influence in the negotiations.
EU appointments, what Meloni said
“I think that the proposal” on top jobs “was wrong in substance and method, it was not vaguely anticipated by a discussion on which mandate to give following elections in which citizens asked for a new and different line in the EU. And imposing a logical majority and opposition makes no sense. I consider it a big mistake, above all a lack of respect towards citizens". As Giorgia Meloni at the end of the European Council.
“Italy will be recognized what it deserves for the role and weight of Italy, not out of sympathy” towards the government. “Ursula von der Leyen will have to say what she wants to do in Parliament, the evaluations are made downstream and not upstream”. And again: “I don't agree that voting against puts our position in the EU at risk. It would be shameful if they made us pay. I exclude that this is the case because we have a responsibility as leaders, to respond to the citizens. Italy must assert its role and its weight,” she said again.
“I think we are less isolated when we have the ability to exercise leadership: Italy's role is not that we tag along and so no one will notice us. I believe this is Italy's role." Last but not least: “The topic is not Ursula von Leyen but what policies she wants to carry forward. And we have no answers on this."
EU appointments, what von der Leyen said
“I am very grateful for the support I have had from the European Council. In fact Giorgia Meloni abstained. For me it is very important work well in the European Council with Italy, as well as with the other Member States. This is the principle I always follow." Ursula von der Leyen said this, answering a question during the press conference at the end of the European Council in Brussels.
As for the possibility of also going to the European Parliament to ask for the votes of at least some of the conservative MEPs, i.e. the group to which Meloni belongs, von der Leyen announced: "I will work with all the members of the European Parliament, to it is very important to me the principle of working with those who are pro-European, pro-Ukraine e pro-rule of law. I have to convince the majority, so we are building a platform with the EPP, S&D and Renew."
“But – he continued – I will also address others, including deputies from groups other than the platform. For me it's about convincing, if possible, a large majority for a strong Europe. So – concluded von der Leyen – this is what I will work on in the next three weeks, intensely, and then we will see”.
