Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni temporarily interrupted her summer holiday to discuss Italy’s nomination for the European Commissioner role with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
Italy has yet to decide on its candidate for the European Commissioner, making it one of the few European Union (EU) member states still to do so. The decision holds considerable significance as the candidate must be submitted to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, by 30 August 2024.
Consequently, Meloni’s impromptu meeting with Salvini was seen as an attempt to prioritise the nomination process over other pressing domestic issues. These domestic issues include discussions surrounding citizenship laws and the appointment of new leaders for Italy’s public broadcaster, RAI.
Before leaving for her holiday, Meloni had expressed her intention to finalise Italy’s nomination at the next government meeting, scheduled for 27 or 28 August. This timeline indicates that Italy may delay its decision until the last minute, potentially making it one of the last EU nations to announce its nominee formally.
For several months, Raffaele Fitto, Italy’s Minister for European Affairs, has been considered the front-runner for the European Commissioner role. However, the final decision is yet to be confirmed. Meloni is reportedly aiming for Italy to secure a significant portfolio within the new European Commission, reflecting the country’s aspirations for greater influence in the EU’s decision-making processes. Additionally, Meloni has expressed interest in obtaining the position of Executive Vice-President within the Commission, although it remains uncertain whether von der Leyen will create such a role in the new Commission structure.
Italy is not alone in its delay. Lithuania also remains undecided on its candidate for the European Commission. Initially, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis was unofficially touted as a candidate for the role. However, Landsbergis announced last week that he would not be seeking a position in the European Commission.
The uncertainty surrounding Lithuania’s nomination has caused concern among the country’s political leaders, with fears that the delay could result in Lithuania being assigned a relatively unimportant portfolio in the new Commission. This apprehension has been mounting since June, and no consensus has yet been reached within Lithuania’s ruling coalition. President Gitanas Nausėda recently stated that he had not yet received any proposals regarding candidates for the European Commission from Lithuanian political leaders, nor had he put forward any suggestions of his own.
Both Italy and Lithuania are now under increasing pressure to finalise their nominations. With the deadline fast approaching, their decisions will be critical in shaping their respective roles within the European Commission, as well as the broader influence they will wield within the EU’s executive body for the coming years.
Image source: Repubblica.it
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