The Italian PM has reached out to her predecessor to discuss EU competitiveness. The conversation follows the rejection of Italy’s nominee for the European Commission by Liberal, Green, and Socialist MEPs, highlighting tensions over Rome’s role in the next executive
Calling Mario. On Tuesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke with her predecessor, Mario Draghi, the author of the report titled “The Future of European Competitiveness”.
- PM Meloni invited the former president of the European Central Bank for a meeting in the coming days to discuss the significant topics outlined in the report.
- A year ago, the European Commission tasked the former European Central Bank president with drafting a report on how the EU can maintain its competitiveness in a greener, more digital economy, especially in the context of rising global tensions.
Waiting for a meeting. According to Il Messaggero, the conversation provided Meloni with an opportunity to express her “respect” and “regard” for her predecessor and his report.
- These sentiments had already been apparent when Meloni, as leader of Fratelli d’Italia, was in opposition toDraghi’s government.
- Nonetheless, areas of divergence remain between the two, such as their differing views on the abolition of the veto right.
While in Strasbourg. The phone call came after the Liberal, Green, and Socialist parties in the European Parliament rejected the Italian government’s nominee for the European Commission.
- These three parties are opposed to the nomination of Raffaele Fitto, the current Minister for European Affairs and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, for the role of Executive Vice-President of the Commission.
- They specifically object to the prospect of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR) being represented in this position.
- PM Meloni’s message to other European capitals, reinforced by her dialogue with Draghi, can be summarised as La Stampa put it: “We are a party of the European right. We did not vote for [Ursula] von der Leyen, but we are determined to play an active role in the new Commission.”
