Tensions are rising in the European Parliament as the Social Democrats (S&D) threaten to derail the formation of the new EU Commission.
The issue? The S&D is set to reject two national conservative candidates for key positions in President-elect Ursula von der Leyen’s proposed Commission: Italy’s Raffaele Fitto, slated for Vice President of Cohesion and Reforms, and Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi, nominated for Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare.
Sources close to the S&D negotiations told Euractiv that the decision is final, even if it delays the new administration’s start, possibly until next year. The blame, they say, rests squarely on the shoulders of EPP leader Manfred Weber.
In an attempt to secure approval, the EPP has been under pressure from von der Leyen to win over the left-leaning members of Parliament. Reports suggest that the EPP proposed a deal: backing Teresa Ribera’s vice presidency in exchange for S&D support for Fitto and Várhelyi, even offering to limit Várhelyi’s portfolio. However, the S&D seems determined to reject both candidates regardless, with one insider claiming that the real issue isn’t abortion rights (as Várhelyi was accused of undermining them), but that Fitto hails from Italy’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party, which the left labels as “neo-fascist.”
To ease Fitto’s approval, the EPP suggested approving all six Vice Presidents as a package deal, but the S&D now refuses to entertain this. They argue that only EPP, S&D, and the liberal Renew coalition should be involved in the vice-presidency discussions, leaving no room for further negotiation.
The liberal Renew group has called for cooler heads to prevail, criticizing the “irresponsible actions” of both sides and warning that further division could lead to long-term instability in the European Parliament.
