Ursula bis, the socialists are split. French and Germans against Fitto –

Ursula bis, the socialists are split. French and Germans against Fitto –
Ursula bis, the socialists are split. French and Germans against Fitto –

Today Ursula von der Leyen goes to the count in Strasbourg with a fateful number in her head: 401. These are the votes with which she was re-elected president of the European Commission on 18 July last, by secret ballot. Its new college of commissioners will be voted on in plenary, by simple majority and by open vote. However, the European political landscape has undergone significant changes in recent months. One of the most important was the openness towards the ECR group, the European Conservatives and Reformists, of which Fratelli d’Italia is part, which will vote in its support since Fitto is both commissioner of the Pnrr and vice-president.

Ursula's thick deputy, Pd in ​​tilt: Elly wants no, Gentiloni slows down

The president of the EU Commission has confidence and manages to include greens, socialists, liberals, EPP and ECR in her new majority. The Socialists are clear in declaring that the majority includes the Greens but not ECR. The Greens feel included in the coalition, but only partially. The EPP, then, through its group leader Manfred Weber, speaks of a European majority that goes “from the Greens to the ECR”, specifying that the pro-European front includes only a part of the ECR, or Brothers of Italy. In reality, Giorgia Meloni’s party will give its vote to today’s package, reserving the right to give its support in the future depending on the measures that will be launched by the new Commission.

Ursula's thick deputy, Pd in ​​tilt: Elly wants no, Gentiloni slows down

Von der Leyen’s other strategic move concerns the greens: he has in fact appointed former group leader Philippe Lamberts as special advisor on climate. At that point, half of the Green group, around twenty MEPs led by the German and Dutch delegations, chose to support the new Commission. The Italian, Belgian and French delegations instead opt for no. Difficult situation even among socialists. The group, led by the Spanish Iratxe García Pérez, decided to support the new Commission, taking a step back from the no to Raffaele Fitto, who many of them had described as an “exponent of a post-fascist force”. The Italian and Spanish delegations lead the yes front for von der Leyen, while the Germans, French and Belgians are divided between abstentions and votes against.

Meloni “Fit vice-president of the EU Commission is a great opportunity”

In Italy, meanwhile, the Democratic Party’s protests over the nomination of Raffaele Fitto as executive vice president have dissolved into a soap bubble. “Italians understand that having an executive vice president of the European Commission, a role never held before by Italy, with strategic delegations, is a great opportunity and reflects Italy’s role in Europe”, said Giorgia Meloni. According to breaking news reported by Ansa, however, the German SPD has decided to abstain. “For the first time in the history of EU institutions, a representative of a post-fascist party is about to obtain a leadership position. This was only possible because the President of the Commission proposed Raffaele Fitto to the prominent position of Vice-President of the Commission, even if the family of his party, that is Ecr, did not vote for his nomination”, wrote the SPD delegation to the European Chamber, MEP Rene Repasi, in a note.

#Ursula #bis #socialists #split #French #Germans #Fitto #Tempo

What are the main political challenges facing Ursula von der Leyen⁢ in getting ‍her new Commission approved?

## Ursula von der Leyen Faces Divided Parliament in Commission Vote

**Interviewer**: Joining ‌us⁤ today is political analyst Dr. Maria Rossi to discuss the upcoming vote on Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission. Dr. Rossi, Ursula von der Leyen secured a clear victory in July when she was re-elected as President of the European Commission. However, the political landscape has shifted ⁣since then. What challenges does von der⁢ Leyen face in⁢ getting her new team approved?

**Dr. Rossi**: Absolutely, the political landscape is​ more fragmented than it was back in July. Von der Leyen needs to ​secure ⁢a majority for her new College of Commissioners, which is proving particularly tricky. While she enjoys the support of several major groups like ‍the‍ Greens, Socialists, Liberals, and the EPP, the inclusion of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, of which Fratelli d’Italia is a part, has raised eyebrows.

**Interviewer**: Can you elaborate on the concerns surrounding the ECR’s support?

**Dr. Rossi**:

The ECR’s inclusion is a⁣ strategic‌ move by von der Leyen to broaden her ‍coalition. However, it’s a move that’s causing internal divisions ​within some groups. For example, the ⁤Socialists are adamant that the majority‌ includes the ⁣Greens but not the ECR. They view the ECR‌ as too right-wing ⁢for ⁣their comfort.

Similarly, the Greens are only partially onboard with the coalition. While they ⁣appreciate von der Leyen’s appointment ⁤of former group leader Philippe Lamberts as a ‍special advisor on climate, a significant portion of the ‍Green⁣ group, particularly from Italy, Belgium, and France, ‌remain opposed to von⁤ der Leyen’s new Commission. This largely stems from ⁢concerns over environmental policies. It’s a delicate balancing act for von der Leyen.

**Interviewer**: How do you see⁢ this vote playing out?

**Dr. Rossi**: It’s going to be very tight. While von der Leyen appears confident, the divisions within the major groups, ‍particularly the Socialists and Greens, offer some uncertainty. Fratelli d’Italia, while supporting the Commission for now, has made⁤ it clear that ⁤their future support depends on the policies von der Leyen’s team enacts. This vote​ will be a crucial test of von der Leyen’s ability to navigate ⁢the complex dynamics of the European Parliament and maintain a cohesive coalition throughout her ‌term.

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