Alberto Núñez Feijóo starts from the assumption that the socialists will end up supporting Giorgia Meloni’s candidate for vice-presidency of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, in exchange for the unblocking of Teresa Ribera. “Now the PSOE’s offer in Europe is to reach an agreement with what they call the European far right,” the PP leader said in a speech. From Genoa they had been pointing in that direction since the early hours of the morning, after making a mark last week by delaying the entire election process of the vice-presidents of the community government by a week. But the Social Democrats (S&D) group led by Spaniard Iratxe García remains silent.
The PP’s war of attrition against Ribera threatens the “Von der Leyen majority”
The big obstacle in the electoral process of the new European Commission has always been the Italian Fitto, after socialists and liberals showed their categorical refusal to nominate him vice-president, arguing that the Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) are not part of the European coalition that supports Ursula von der Leyen. However, the European PP led by German Manfred Weber makes it a condition that these two groups support Meloni’s candidate and use Ribera’s candidacy as a bargaining chip.
Weber’s wrist
For the moment the evaluations of the six vice presidents and the Hungarian commissioner Oliver Varhely remain suspended until there is an agreement between the three main political families. Feijóo’s PP maneuvered in Brussels to delay the process and ensure that Ribera was not elected last week, as expected. And with this move all assessments were delayed. What the European PP said, taking on the Genoa affair to a certain extent, is that Ribera should answer for his responsibilities before Congress. His appearance is scheduled for Wednesday the 20th.
From there the tension is maximum and the ‘Von der Leyen majority’ is threatened. Of course, the trust between the People’s Party, Socialists and Liberals will be completely broken, even if an agreement is finally reached that allows the new European Commission to start. Weber challenged the Social Democrats and, incidentally, Von der Leyen herself, of his political family, to whom he sent the message that the European Parliament has power over its mandate in which the EPP has the majority with far-right forces against . from which the sanitary cordon was revoked, despite the refusal of the leaders of the traditional right, including Von der Leyen. But the president does not put Meloni in the bag, with whom he had the gesture of appointing his candidate as vice president, despite the fact that he supported her candidacy neither at the European Council nor at the European Chamber of Brothers of Italy.
Feijóo does not know whether his European colleagues will support Ribera
What they claim in Genoa is that the Social Democrats have given in and will support Fitto in exchange for the consent of their European colleagues to Ribera. “The far right is not so ultra if it protects Ribera,” criticizes Feijóo’s PP, which thus opens the door for the vice president to obtain the approval of the European Parliament against its criteria. The Spanish People’s Party, in fact, still trust that the parliamentary commissions responsible for examining Ribera will suspend his nomination.
Faced with the refusal of the Spanish PP, which wants Sánchez to nominate another person for the future community executive, the European People’s Party have lowered their demands on Ribera by conditioning his evaluation on his presentation to Congress, which will happen on Wednesday, and on his commitment to resign in the event of trial - some sources speak of conviction – for the management of DANA. The socialist adheres to the European Commission’s code of conduct, which provides for the request for resignation only if the president requests it.
There is still room for a hypothetical agreement that would allow the entire European Commission to vote next week in Strasbourg. As a prerequisite, first the vice-presidents who pass the procedure must be evaluated (by a two-thirds majority of the coordinators of the corresponding parliamentary commissions or by a simple majority of all the deputies composing the commission if they do not pass the first attempt) and, the validation of the entire community government in the plenary session of the European Parliament.
What are the key challenges facing the European Commission in the current nomination process for vice-presidency?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on the European Commission Dynamics
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone. Today’s discussion revolves around the ongoing tensions in the European Commission regarding the nominations for vice-presidency, particularly focusing on the candidates Raffaele Fitto and Teresa Ribera. We have with us Dr. Elena Martinez, a political analyst specializing in European Union affairs. Elena, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Elena Martinez: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such a crucial topic.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in. Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the PP has made some striking claims about the potential support from the Socialists for Giorgia Meloni’s candidate, Raffaele Fitto. What’s your take on this situation?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Feijóo’s comments reflect a significant power play in the European Parliament. By suggesting that the Socialists might support Fitto in exchange for some concessions regarding Ribera, he underscores a strategy that involves negotiation and coalition-building at a time when the traditional left-right divides in Europe are fraying.
Time.news Editor: Interesting. The article mentions that there has been a categorical refusal from Socialists and Liberals to nominate Fitto due to the ECR’s position. Do you think this stalemate will lead to a breakdown of trust among these political families?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Absolutely. The refusal to nominate Fitto suggests deep ideological divides, and by leaning on the Socialists for support now, Feijóo is likely pushing the envelope. If this deal materializes, it may damage the existing coalitions. The term ”Von der Leyen majority” highlights how fragile these alliances are, especially if they have to rely on far-right support.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of the Von der Leyen majority, how critical is it for the EPP to secure a deal involving both Fitto and Ribera for the overall functioning of the European Commission?
Dr. Elena Martinez: It’s pivotal. If the EPP, led by Manfred Weber, does not achieve a consensus with the Social Democrats and Liberals, it risks not only the stability of the commission but also its legislative effectiveness. Delaying the voting process shows that the EPP is using strategic maneuvering to assert its influence, which will only work—if it can persuade the Socialists to realign their priorities.
Time.news Editor: There’s a lot of political chess happening here. Feijóo has expressed uncertainty about whether his European colleagues will support Ribera, which indicates possible divisions within the PP itself. How does intra-party dynamics affect these negotiations?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Intra-party dynamics are vital. If there is dissent within the PP regarding support for Ribera or Fitto, it could weaken their bargaining power. The image of a united front is often essential in negotiations. If Weber and Feijóo can’t present a cohesive strategy, they risk giving more leverage to the opposition, in this case, the Socialists, who might hold the key to maintaining the balance of power.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like these negotiations are a high-stakes game. What implications do you see this having for future EU governance if the EPP and its allies can’t find common ground?
Dr. Elena Martinez: If a consensus fails to materialize, we could see an unstable European Commission that struggles to enact policies effectively. This might lead to a more fragmented political landscape in Europe, where extremism could gain ground, overshadowing moderate voices. It could set a precedent for future negotiations; if leaders see that gridlock is common, they may opt to take more radical stances, further pushing the EU into two opposing camps.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Elena, for your insights on this complex, evolving situation. It’s clear that the forthcoming days will be critical for the future of both the European Commission and the overall stability of EU governance.
Dr. Elena Martinez: Thank you for having me. Let’s keep an eye on how these negotiations unfold!
Time.news Editor: And thank you all for joining us! Stay informed as we continue to follow this and other key developments within the European Union.