Italy’s Giorgia Meloni reportedly holds the key to Ursula von der Leyen’s fate
The fate of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will most likely depend on whatever decision Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made, according to Politico.
The German politician was nominated for a second term at the helm of the EU last month, in a back-room deal between six national leaders that left out Meloni’s Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.
“Europe’s two most powerful women will face their shared moment of truth” on Thursday afternoon, Politico EU noted. “And it’s possible that only one of them will emerge a winner.”
Von der Leyen needs 361 votes in the 720-member European Parliament. On paper, she has the support of the conservatives, liberals, greens and socialists, but up to 15% of their MEPs might not back her on the secret ballot. Meloni’s 78 votes could tip the scales, according to the outlet.
As of Tuesday, it was still unclear which way the ECR intended to lean.
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