After difficult negotiations, the right, the center and the Social Democrats reached an agreement on Wednesday 20 November in the European Parliament in Brussels to approve the new Commission team, including a vice-presidency assigned to the far right.
MEPs will decide, during the vote on 27 November in the plenary session in Strasbourg, whether the new European executive, chaired by Ursula von der Leyen, will take office on 1 December.
Division around the far-right commissioner
The leaders of the EPP (right), Renew (center) and the Social Democratic Group (left) all support the candidate European commissioners, including the Italian Raffaele Fitto, member of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia party, chosen for a vice president. presidency for territorial cohesion, according to the agreement reached on Wednesday.
On the Fitto case the Social Democrats were divided down to the last man: the French Socialists pleaded in vain not to sign an agreement with the other groups if the Italian had retained the title of vice president.
Negotiations have been tense, but MEPs have underlined their desire to move forward to avoid hesitation in Brussels, at a time when the election of Donald Trump in the United States requires a strong European voice.
In their agreement, the three groups state their desire “work together” and to defend the “values” European. The left and center have called for a commitment from the EPP, after having repeatedly criticized it for mixing its votes with the far right since the start of the legislature, for example last Thursday to relax a law against deforestation.
“Break”
Since 12 November, Parliament has concluded the hearings of future commissioners, but MEPs have been slow to evaluate the performances of the protagonists of the new team led by Ursula von der Leyen. Three names caused the stalemate: the Italian Fitto, the Spanish Teresa Ribera (Ecological Transition and Competition), both potential vice-presidents of the future Commission, and the Hungarian Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare.
Depending on the agreement reached, the latter could also see its portfolio partially cut. Reproductive and sexual health issues would be removed from its mandate. The hearing of this close friend of nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban drew criticism for his reluctance to answer questions about women’s access to abortion or LGBT rights.
For its part, the right has pointed the finger at the socialist Ribera, Pedro Sanchez’s current minister, accusing her of having mismanaged the deadly floods that hit her country. The EPP awaited Teresa Ribera’s explanations before the Spanish Parliament on Wednesday before approving the new Commission. The law had also conditioned Dr. Ribera’s approval to that of MM. Fitto and Varhelyi from the other groups.
In 2019, three European Commissioners were challenged by MEPs. This time the entire team should be confirmed in a week in Strasbourg, including the Frenchman Stéphane Séjourné, vice president in charge of industrial strategy.
This process leaves a bad taste in the mouths of some parliamentarians, who believe that the political negotiations have neutralized the hearings exercise. Among environmentalists, the Frenchwoman Marie Toussaint criticized the “small agreements” in groups. The agreement signed on Wednesday evening marks a “Historical and dramatic breakup”believes that the arrival of a representative of the far right as Vice-President of the Commission is an absolute novelty.
How can centrist and leftist parties effectively collaborate to counter the rise of extremist ideologies in European politics?
Interview: Navigating European Politics in the Face of Controversy
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to this special segment of Time.news where we dive deep into the latest developments in European politics. Today, we are joined by Dr. Anna Fischer, an expert in European Union governance and political dynamics. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Fischer!
Dr. Anna Fischer: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss these critical issues.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent agreement reached in the European Parliament regarding the new Commission team. This coalition between the right, center, and the Social Democrats seems quite significant. How do you interpret this cooperation?
Dr. Fischer: It’s quite remarkable, indeed. The combination of the EPP on the right, the Renew party in the center, and the Social Democrats is a strategic alliance aimed at ensuring stability within the EU, especially as we face challenges externally with the political climate in the US and internally with member states’ varying approaches to policy. However, it does come with some contentious elements, particularly the inclusion of far-right candidates like Raffaele Fitto.
Editor: Speaking of Raffaele Fitto, what are the implications of having a far-right commissioner in a vice-presidential role?
Dr. Fischer: The appointment of Fitto, who hails from a party that is known for its far-right sentiments, raises concerns about the direction of EU policies. It poses a challenge to the core values that the EU champions, such as inclusivity and democratic freedoms. The Social Democrats are admittedly divided over this issue, reflecting the broader tensions within European politics between moderate and extremist views.
Editor: That’s a valid point. The Social Democrats’ internal conflict suggests a fracture in their strategy. Do you foresee this impacting the upcoming vote on 27 November?
Dr. Fischer: The division certainly complicates the situation. The Socialists’ reluctance to fully support the agreement could lead to significant debates and may even affect the voting dynamics. If a substantial number of MEPs are uneasy about Fitto’s role, this could result in a tight vote in Strasbourg. On the other hand, the urgency to form a government before the year’s end could push some members to compromise, despite reservations.
Editor: It seems the trend of cooperating with the far-right is becoming more pronounced. How does this impact the overall political landscape of Europe moving forward?
Dr. Fischer: This trend is concerning as it might normalize far-right ideologies in mainstream politics, which could lead to a softer stance on issues that fundamentally underpin the EU’s values. It poses a risk of eroding the political consensus around shared European values, such as human rights, social justice, and environmental protection. We could witness increasing polarization within the Parliament itself, affecting future legislation and governance.
Editor: With the stakes this high, what strategies do you believe the left and center can employ to counterbalance the influence of far-right elements in European politics?
Dr. Fischer: Effective communication and coalition-building are paramount. The left and center must present a united front, emphasizing shared values to counteract the rhetoric of the far right. They could also engage in public outreach to educate citizens on the implications of fringe policies, thereby rallying broader public support and fostering unity against divisive politics.
Editor: That sounds promising. as we approach crucial votes in the European Parliament, what advice would you give our viewers about staying informed on these political developments?
Dr. Fischer: I encourage viewers to follow credible news sources, engage in discussions about EU politics, and understand the implications of these political shifts. Being informed and active in civic discourse can amplify democratic values and hold representatives accountable. Each voice matters in shaping the future of Europe.
Editor: Thank you so much, Dr. Fischer, for your insights today. We appreciate your expertise in helping us understand these complex issues.
Dr. Fischer: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to discuss this vital topic!
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Stay with Time.news for more updates on European politics as these exciting developments unfold.