The Italian Minister for EU and Southern Affairs does not lack experience, having held senior positions in both the EU institutions and the Italian Government. Brothers of Italy believes that Fitto stands out among the other candidates for commissioner.
Maybe Raffaele Fitto seems like a good candidate for the post of EU commissioner, but there is still a long way to go before his appointment is confirmed and the path is not without obstacles.
To the Italian Minister of EU and Southern Affairs he doesn’t lack experiencesince he has held senior positions in both the EU institutions and the Italian Government. Brothers of Italy believes that Fitto stands out among the other candidates for commissioner.
“I think it will end up being the most qualified among the other commissioners“, the senator of the Brothers of Italy, Lucio Malan, tells ‘Euronews’. “Fitto is extremely prepared for the position. He has the experience and the skills, but he has also achieved great results in recent years having to manage recovery funds“he explains.
But the selection process can be tough, with evaluations and hearings. “The liberals have already said that They are not in favor of his candidacy“, says political analyst Giovanni Orsina to ‘Euronews’.
“It remains to be seen how much support Fitto will also get from the European People’s Party (EPP), as the socialists and liberals They will also need the support of the PPE. Therefore, if the EPP supports him, his chances of being elected will be greater. But it’s clear that anything can happen and it’s not an easy fight.”
A great advantage for Meloni
Orsina also claims that Meloni’s government stands to benefit from Fitto’s appointment. “Between June and July, Meloni was harshly criticized by opposition parties why They had accused her of isolating Italy” says Orsina, “but if today he manages to secure an executive vice presidency for Italy, he will be able to challenge the opposition forces by showing that he played his cards right.”
But there is another reading of Fitto’s possible appointment that, according to Orsina, is directly linked to the decision of the Italian Prime Minister to withdraw her support for the re-election of the President of the Commission, Ursula von Der Leyen. “Her decision at that time,” Orsina assures, “was part of an agreement with the EPP. If Fitto is named, she shows that It’s all part of that agreement.“.
Many agree that if Raffaele Fitto is given the portfolio of executive vice president in charge of the Economy and Post-Pandemic Recovery, it would be a significant victory for Italy.
According to Gianni Pittella, former vice president of the European Parliament, “the role of vice president would allow Fitto cover a wide range of issues and, if he is in charge of the pandemic recovery funds, it would give him the opportunity to take care of Italy, which is the largest recipient of Next Generation EU funds,” he points out, adding that “if he is also given responsibility for the Economy, 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 the president of the European Commission, who will soon present her team and her portfolio.
