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.
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.
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.
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.
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What are Ursula von der Leyen’s immediate priorities for the new commission?
## Interview with Ursula von der Leyen: A New Commission Faces a Divided Europe
**Interviewer:** Ursula von der Leyen, welcome. Today marks a crucial moment for your second term as President of the European Commission. You secured re-election in July, but building a commission majority in this fragmented political landscape is a significant challenge. Can you tell us about the hurdles you face and the strategies you’ve employed to overcome them?
**Von der Leyen:** Thank you. Indeed, the political landscape has shifted since my last term.
The key to forming a stable majority is building consensus across the spectrum. We have managed to bring together the Greens, Socialists, Liberals, the EPP, and even a part of the ECR, which includes Italy’s Fratelli d’Italia. This collaborative approach reflects the complexities of our time and ensures a diverse range of voices will shape European policy.
We’ve had to navigate delicate negotiations:** The Socialists, for example, have expressed reservations about including the ECR, while the Greens, though partially on board, remain cautiously optimistic. My team and I have been diligently working to address these concerns, emphasizing the collective responsibility we share.
**Interviewer:** There are concerns about the inclusion of Fratelli d’Italia. Many see it as a right-wing party with potentially conflicting ideological stances compared to the rest of the coalition. Can you assure the public that their inclusion won’t compromise the values of the European Union?
**Von der Leyen:** It’s vital to remember that this Commission represents a **broad majority of the European Parliament**. While we recognize our differences, we are united by a shared commitment to the core values of the European Union – democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and solidarity. I am confident that we can work together constructively towards a prosperous and sustainable future for all Europeans.
**Interviewer:** What are your immediate priorities for this new commission?
**Von der Leyen:**
Focussing on achieving climate neutrality by 2050 remains paramount. My appointment of Philippe Lamberts, former Green leader, as special advisor on climate demonstrates my commitment to this goal. We will also prioritize economic stability, fostering innovation, and strengthening Europe’s role on the global stage.
**Interviewer:** This certainly sounds like a challenging but ultimately hopeful path ahead. Thank you for your time, President von der Leyen. We wish you all the best in navigating these uncharted waters.
