Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to wait for the official nomination from the conservative European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament before deciding on the presidency of the future EU Commission.
“The proposal is a matter for the EPP, and when it is complete we will make our assessments,” said Meloni on Saturday at the end of the G7 summit in southern Italy.
She said it was important that Italy was given “appropriate” consideration in the new Commission. It must also be clear “that Europe has understood the message of the European elections.”
The EPP, a group of conservative parties across the continent, performed best in last Sunday’s European elections. It wants the current Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to be given a second five-year term in Brussels.
However, it is uncertain whether the German conservative politician would get enough votes from her current supporters in the European Parliament if she were nominated by the EU heads of state and governments. She may therefore have to rely on votes from Meloni’s far-right party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy).
David Turner is a globe-trotting journalist who brings a global perspective to our readers. With a commitment to shedding light on international events, he explores complex geopolitical issues, offering a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
