it flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by ANSA.

Gray smoke on Fitto, there’s a stalemate on the designated vice-presidents of the EU Commission

by AI | 14.Nov 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The three forces of the ‘Ursula majority’, Populars, Socialists and Liberals, have opted to postpone “until further notice” the evaluation of the six vice-presidents in charge, including the Minister for European Affairs, Raffaele Fitto, pending mediation from the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

The Minister for European Affairs, the South, Cohesion Policies and the PNRR, Raffaele Fitto, at the 45th edition of the Meeting for Friendship Amongst Peoples, Rimini, August 25, 2024. ANSA/DORIN MIHAI/PASQUALE BOVE

“`html

Brussels (ANSA) – The Super Tuesday hearings of the designated vice presidents of the new European Commission ended in a stalemate. The three forces of the ‘Ursula majority’, Populars, Socialists and Liberals, opted to postpone the evaluation of the six vice presidents in mentee “to a date to be determined,” including the Minister for European Affairs, Raffaele Fitto, awaiting a mediation by the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.

During his confirmation hearing, Fitto distanced himself from sovereigntist positions and admitted that, despite what he had done when he was in the European Parliament, today he would have voted in favor of Next Generation EU. “Here I do not represent a party or Italy, but Europe,” Fitto stressed, claiming to have always worked for a stronger Union. Also examined during the day were the Popular Henna Virkkunen, Liberals Kaja Kallas and Stephane Sejourné, and Socialists Teresa Ribera and Roxana Minzatu.

It was clear from the early morning that Populars, Socialists, and Liberals would not vote either with the 2/3 quorum of the competent parliamentary committee or the simple majority of members, provided for at the third vote. With a simple majority, Fitto would have passed thanks to the yes of the ECR, the Patriots, and even the far-right of AfD, an extremely uncomfortable scenario for von der Leyen and now also for the leader of the EPP Manfred Weber, who is dealing with the upcoming elections in Germany.

On the other hand, Socialist Ribera was not sure to pass even with a simple majority. And her hearing showed this. “It was up to her to avoid the Valencia tragedy. She should be in court,” both Vox and the Partido Popular attacked. In the EPP, the Spanish wanted to postpone the yes to Ribera to after her hearing in the Spanish Parliament, on November 20.

Brothers of Italy assured that, with Fitto on the team, they would vote for the new von der Leyen Commission in Plenary, effectively joining the majority (November 12).

“`