Italian Raffaele Fitto, minister of Giorgia Meloni, obtains a vice-presidency

Despite criticism from the left and centre of the European political spectrum, the Italian Raffaele Fitto, Minister for European Affairs in the far-right government of Giorgia Meloni, was appointed Vice-President of the European Commission on Tuesday 17 September.

The expected appointment to this post of this member of the post-fascist party Fratelli d’Italia (FDI) of M^me Meloni has provoked a storm of protest in recent weeks among left-wing and centrist forces in the European Parliament, where his hearing promises to be stormy.

The new European Commission, which has six vice-presidents in total (two men and four women) alongside Ursula von der Leyen, still needs to be approved by MEPs before taking office. Mr Fitto, 55, will be responsible for regional cohesion policies in the European Union (EU) and reforms.

This appointment “is excellent news that confirms the credibility and the important role that Italy will continue to play in Europe”welcomed the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Rome had been aiming to obtain the post of vice-president for the economy for its minister for European affairs, considered one of the few pro-Europeans in the Meloni government.

“Collegiate” decisions

But this portfolio finally returned to the Frenchman Stéphane Séjourné after intense negotiations between Mr.^me von der Leyen and the French authorities, following the surprise resignation, announced on Monday, of Commissioner Thierry Breton.

Asked about the attribution of reform policies to a member of a far-right government, not very favourable to the European cause, Ms^me von der Leyen recalled that the Commission’s decisions were “collegiate”and that no commissioner could impose his views. “Every decision is a decision of the whole college” commissioners, she told the press in Strasbourg.

Considered one of the most moderate members of the government and with extensive European experience, Mr Fitto is currently in charge of supervising the release and management of funds from the European recovery plan, of which Italy is the first beneficiary with 200 billion euros.

A longtime close friend of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Mr Fitto is seen as centrist, making him a more acceptable partner for Brussels. Italy is one of the EU’s six founding members, and Mr Fitto’s portfolio reflects that “the importance” of this country, also said Mr.^me von der Leyen.