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Hermida accused Fitto of having voted against a sanction procedure against Hungary during his time as a Member of the European Parliament. “That is inconsistent with the role you aspire to as a guardian of the EU treaties,” said Hermida.
Through a sanction procedure, officially called an infringement procedure, the European Commission calls an EU member state to order if it does not comply with European rules and international treaties. Hungary is subject to infringement procedures due to asylum policy and the rule of law. Such a procedure can ultimately lead to a lawsuit at the European Court, which can impose heavy fines.
Fitto, like the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is a member of the right-wing and conservative party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy). From 2014 to 2020, he was a Member of the European Parliament.
The Spanish Member of the European Parliament Ana Miranda Paz (the Greens) accused Fitto of collaborating with neo-fascists. She finds him “incompetent” to manage EU funds and questioned his suitability for the role. Fitto denied being a fascist.
Despite criticism from other Members of the European Parliament, Fitto promised several times during the three-hour hearing that he will act “absolutely independently” as an EU Commissioner and treat all 27 member states “in the same way.”
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has nominated Fitto for the cohesion policy portfolio. Through this policy, disadvantaged regions must be supported, with substantial funds from the European Cohesion Fund. During the hearing, he pledged to reform the policy. It must be simpler, and local and regional governments must be more involved, Fitto said. He called this “crucial” to achieve “tailored policies.”
It will only become clear later whether Fitto will be allowed to take office as EU Commissioner by the European Parliament. After the hearing, the Greens announced they would not agree to Fitto’s appointment.
(November 12, 2024)