Italy's head of government rails against von der Leyen
At the agreement on a second term for Ursula von der Leyen as EU Commission President, Italy feels overlooked. From then on, Meloni & Co. let their displeasure run free - and hope for more influence in the decision of the Vice-Commission President.
In the Italian coalition government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, there is great discontent over the personnel decisions of the EU Summit. Meloni herself justified her abstention before departing from Brussels by stating that the nominations did not correspond to the will of the voters. Vice-Prime Minister Matteo Salvini even spoke of a "coup," which Italy would not tolerate.
Previously, the Heads of State and Government of the 27 EU countries had agreed with a large majority to nominate Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as Commission President. The new President of the European Council is to be the former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, and the new EU Foreign Minister is to be the Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The European Parliament still needs to approve this.
Meloni described the decision on the platform X immediately afterwards as "methodically and substantively wrong." Later, the Chairwoman of the Right-wing Party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) told journalists: "Italy's role is not to cling to others." Her country should finally get the weight it deserves in Europe.
"Smells like a coup"
Vice-Minister President Salvini found even stronger words. The head of the smaller Right-wing Party Lega said on Italian television: "What's going on in Brussels smells like a coup. Millions of Europeans have demanded a change. And what do those who have lost do? The same faces. We won't let them get away with it."
The Roman government is now focusing on obtaining a Vice-President position in the new Commission with significant influence. Among the names being discussed for this are European Minister Raffaele Fitto from the Fratelli. The Meloni Party managed to increase its share in the European elections in Italy to 28.8 percent. Salvini's Lega, on the other hand, was one of the major losers with only 9 percent.
Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, expressed displeasure over the EU Summit's personnel decisions, believing they did not reflect the voters' will. Ursula von der Leyen, who was nominated for a second term as EU Commission President, faced criticism from Meloni for her selection. The Lega North, another Italian party, accused the EU of conducting a "coup," with Vice-Minister President Matteo Salvini leading the charge. Meloni's party, Fratelli d'Italia, is now focused on securing a Vice-President position in the new Commission with significant influence.
