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, i.e. 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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Why is the vote of confidence for Ursula von der Leyen and her new European Commission considered important, despite her having secured re-election as Commission President in July?
## Today’s Vote of Confidence for Von der Leyen: A Delicate Balancing Act
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, Ursula von der Leyen faces a crucial vote of confidence in Strasbourg for her new European Commission. Let’s bring in our political analyst, Dr. [Guest Name], to help us understand the complexities of this situation. Dr. [Guest Name], thank you for joining us.
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me. This vote is indeed a crucial test for Von der Leyen and reflects a shifting landscape within the European Parliament.
**Host:** Von der Leyen secured her re-election as Commission President back in July. Why is this vote considered so important?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** While Von der Leyen’s personal victory was significant, today’s vote focuses on her entire slate of commissioners. Gaining support from a diverse range of political groups is essential for her to effectively implement her agenda.
**Host:** The article mentions the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), specifically mentioning Brothers of Italy. Their support seems contingent on Fitto’s position as Commission Vice President and Pnrr Commissioner.
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Exactly. This highlights the delicate balancing act Von der Leyen is undertaking. The ECR’s inclusion is crucial for achieving a majority, but it comes with conditions and potential for future clashes, as seen with diverging views on Fitto himself.
**Host:** The article also describes a split within the Green and Socialist parties about supporting the Commission.
**Dr. [Guest Name]: **Yes. Von der Leyen has managed a very strategic move by appointing former Green leader Philippe Lamberts as her climate advisor. This has secured the support of a significant portion of the Green group.
Meanwhile, the Socialists, while offering their support, express reservations about including the ECR group, highlighting the internal divisions within the pro-European front.
**Host:** This vote seems incredibly complex with shifting alliances and internal party divisions. What are the implications for the EU moving forward?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** This reflects a broader trend of fragmentation within the European Parliament.
Von der Leyen’s success will depend on her ability to navigate these complexities, bridge ideological divides, and build consensus on key issues. Ultimately, today’s vote will significantly shape the direction of the European Commission for the next five years.
**Host:** Dr. [Guest Name], thank you for shedding light on this complex political landscape. We’ll continue monitoring the vote and its implications closely.
