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Simona Granati – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images Italy’s Raffaele Fitto is set to become the first vice-president of the European Commission to come from the far right.
Simona Granati – Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images
Italy’s Raffaele Fitto is set to become the first vice-president of the European Commission to come from the far right.
EUROPEAN UNION – A painful birth. After difficult negotiations, the right, the center and the social democrats ended up reaching an agreement this Wednesday, November 20 evening at the European Parliament in Brussels, in order to approve the new Commission team. One of the vice-presidency was awarded to the far right.
MEPs will make a definitive decision during a vote on November 27 in a plenary session in Strasbourg, for the new European executive, chaired by Ursula von der Leyen, to take office on December 1.
The leaders of the EPP (right), Renew (center) and the Social Democratic Group (left) support all proposed EU commissioners, including Italy’s Raffaele Fitto, a member of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia party , chosen for a vice-presidency in Territorial Cohesion, according to the agreement reached on Wednesday. This is the first time that a vice-presidential position has gone to the far right.
The Fitto case still divides
The social democrats were divided to the end on the Fitto case: the French socialists pleaded in vain not to seal an agreement with the other groups if the Italian retained his title of vice-president. The negotiations were tense, but MEPs underlined the desire to move forward in order to avoid hesitation in Brussels, at a time when the election of Donald Trump in the United States calls for a strong European voice.
In their agreement, the three groups affirm their desire to “work together” and to defend the “values” European. The left and the center demanded a commitment from the EPP, after having repeatedly criticized it for mixing its votes with the far right since the start of the legislature, for example last Thursday to relax a law against deforestation.
Part of the left has also denounced the agreement on social networks. Among environmentalists, the Frenchwoman Marie Toussaint castigated the “small arrangements” in groups. The pact sealed Wednesday evening marks a “historical and dramatic rupture”she estimated.
“A red line” has been crossed
La France insoumise MEP Manon Aubry also criticized: “This is the price of small arrangements between friends between the right, liberals and socialists. » Belgian MEP Saskia Bricmont, for her part, judged “deplorable” ce « deal ». The ecologist believes that “socialists and liberals (have crossed) a red line”.
But among French socialists, anger is still present. “It’s a red line that has been crossed. For the first time, the European Commission will have a far-right vice-president. I strongly condemn it and with the French socialists we will obviously vote against this Commission”affirmed the socialist Pierre Jouvet. His colleague Christophe Clergeau also “condemned validation” of the candidacy of Raffaele Fitto and also indicated that he would vote against the Commission.
In a press release published on X, the French from the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament insisted: “The red line of our delegation has not changed. (…) Appointing him vice-president is a political choice. We refuse it. »
Since November 12, Parliament had completed the hearings of future commissioners, but MEPs were slow to evaluate the performances of the headliners of Ursula von der Leyen’s new team. Three names caused a blockage: the Italian Fitto, the Spanish Teresa Ribera (Ecological transition and competition), both potential vice-presidents of the future Commission, and the Hungarian Oliver Varhelyi, European commissioner for health and well-being animal.
Stéphane Séjourné for industrial strategy
Depending on the agreement reached, the latter could also see his portfolio partly cut. Reproductive and sexual health issues would be removed from its remit. The hearing of this close friend of Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban gave rise to criticism of his reluctance to answer questions on women’s access to abortion or on LGBT+ rights.
For its part, the right pointed the finger at the socialist Ribera, current minister of Pedro Sanchez, accusing her of having mismanaged the deadly floods which hit her country. The EPP waited for Teresa Ribera’s explanations before the Spanish Parliament this Wednesday, before approving the new Commission.
In 2019, three European commissioners were challenged by MEPs. This time, the entire team should be confirmed in a week in Strasbourg, including Frenchman Stéphane Séjourné, vice-president in charge of industrial strategy. This process leaves a bitter taste for certain parliamentarians, who believe that political negotiations have neutralized the hearing exercise.
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Q1: As the first vice-president of the European Commission from the far right, how do you plan to represent your political beliefs while upholding European values and working alongside members from different ideological backgrounds?
Q2: The appointment of Raffaele Fitto as vice-president has sparked controversy among some MEPs. What are your thoughts on this, and how do you plan to address any concerns or criticisms that may arise?
Q3: Territorial Cohesion is a significant aspect of the European Union’s policies. As vice-president, what are your plans and priorities for this area?
Q4: Some environmentalists have expressed concern about the EU’s stance on deforestation laws, particularly given the involvement of groups like the EPP in related debates. How do you plan to strike a balance between development and environmental sustainability in your role, and what actions will you take to address this issue?
Q5: The appointment of future commissioners has faced opposition from various quarters. How can the European Parliament improve its vetting process to ensure that individuals with diverse perspectives and backgrounds are considered for key roles in the Commission?
