Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, Fratelli d’Italia (FDI), says Fitto stood out among other Commissioner candidates.
Italy has nominated its Minister for EU affairs, Raffaele Fitto, to be its next European commissioner.
If on the one hand, Raffaele Fitto seems to be a good fit to serve as EU commissioner, on the other, he still has a long way to go before his appointment is confirmed. And the path is not without obstacles.
The 55-year-old former lawmaker for the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) doesn’t lack the experience, having held high positions both in EU institutions and the Italian government.
“I think he will end up being the most qualified among the other commissioners,” Fratelli d’Italia (FDI) senator Lucio Malan tells Euronews. “Fitto is extremely prepared for the role. He has the experience and the skills but he has also achieved great result these past few years having to manage recovery funds.”
Screening process
But the selection process can be tough and include screenings and hearings. “Liberals already said that they are not in favour of his candidacy,” political analyst Giovanni Orsina tells Euronews, “and it remains to be seen how much support Fitto will get from the EPP (European People’s Party) also because the Socialists and the Liberals will need the support of the EPP. So if the EPP stands by him, his chances of being appointed will be greater. Anything can happen and it’s not an easy contest.”
Orsina also says Meloni’s government can benefit from Fitto’s appointment. “Between June and July, Meloni was heavily criticized by opposition parties because they had accused her of isolating Italy,” says Orsina. “But if today she manages to secure an executive vice presidency for Italy, she can challenge opposition forces by showing that she played her cards well.”
But there’s another reading of Fitto’s possible appointment which, according to Orsina, is directly linked to the Italian Prime Minister’s decision to withdraw support for Ursula von Der Leyen’s re-election as EU Commission President. “Her decision at the time was part of an agreement with the EPP. If Fitto is appointed, it shows that it’s all part of the same deal,” says Orsina.
All eyes on von der Leyen
Many agree that if Raffaele Fitto is given the executive vice-president portfolio in charge of the economy and post-pandemic recovery, it would be a significant gain for Italy. According to Gianni Pittella, former vice-president of the European Parliament, “the vice-presidency role would allow Fitto to cover a wide range of issues and if he is in charge of the pandemic recovery funds, it would give him the opportunity to look after Italy which is the largest recipient of the Next Generation EU funds,” adding that “if he is also given responsibility of the economy, he would oversee the stability pact, which is crucial for Rome.”
As Orsina points out, the economy portfolio is extremely relevant given that Italy has been placed under the excessive deficit procedure by the EU. For now, all eyes are on EU Commission President von der Leyen, who will soon present her team and their portfolios.
