Citizens of the European Union await the formation of a new Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, expected to start on December 1. Following parliamentary committee hearings for 26 candidates, political negotiations over six vice-presidential roles have intensified. Controversial figures Raffaele Fitto and Teresa Ribera have sparked debate among parties. Despite an agreement between factions, tensions remain, particularly regarding alliances with right-wing groups. A parliamentary vote next Wednesday will determine the Commission’s official confirmation.
New EU Commission Set to Launch in December
In June, citizens across the European Union cast their votes to elect a new Parliament, yet the Union still awaits the formation of a new Commission. The team led by President Ursula von der Leyen is anticipated to commence its duties on December 1. A significant blockage within the EU Parliament was lifted on Wednesday evening, leading to the European People’s Party (EPP) emerging once again as the dominant force, reminiscent of the summer elections.
Complexities of EU Government Formation
The process of “government formation” within the EU is often more intricate than that at the national level, as the Commission serves both executive and legislative roles. So far, the only individual who has solidified her position is President von der Leyen, having gained Parliament’s approval in July. The remaining 26 candidates nominated by member states have recently undergone parliamentary committee hearings, a stage colloquially known as “grilling.”
Following these hearings, a high-stakes game of power ensued regarding the six key vice-presidential roles. Two appointments garnered particular attention: Raffaele Fitto from the Italian far-right Brothers of Italy and Teresa Ribera from the Spanish Socialist party. The European Social Democrats (S&D) resisted the idea of rewarding Fitto with a significant position, citing his faction’s failure to elect the Commission President and his post-fascist ideology. Meanwhile, the EPP criticized Ribera, who is currently Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition, for her involvement in the flood disaster in Valencia.
Amid this political turmoil, Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, played a pivotal role, advocating for Ribera’s confirmation. He successfully convinced S&D leader Iratxe García to accept the “Fitto toad” in exchange for the EPP softening its stance on Ribera. Consequently, the EPP agreed not to demand Ribera’s resignation if criminal investigations regarding the Valencia disaster were initiated.
However, the agreement reached is largely non-binding, consisting of “common guidelines” with minimal enforcement. Sources within Parliament indicate that this arrangement merely reaffirms the consensus established by the “pro-European alliance” prior to von der Leyen’s elevation to the presidency. The renewal of this agreement was essential, especially given the recent fractures in trust among the parties.
The S&D, being the second-largest faction, sought to secure a commitment from the EPP not to collaborate with the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) faction, to which Fitto’s Brothers of Italy belong. The Social Democrats view recent collaborations within the EU Parliament as a breach of their prior alliance.
Despite their efforts, the EPP remains reluctant to make such concessions, seeing value in aligning with either the left or right based on the issue at hand. They assert their commitment to working with all democratic forces, including the ECR, in a bid to curb the rise of more extreme right-wing parties. On the other hand, the S&D feels increasingly isolated, with certain German and French members expressing skepticism regarding the deal.
The final decision is still awaited. Next Wednesday, the EU Parliament will vote to confirm the new Commission as a whole. If this vote passes—as expected—the Commission will officially begin its work in early December.