Task: Italy gets tough EU Commissioner

Italy can still be given responsibility for the economy in the EU Commission, reports the German newspaper Die Welt. The number of women in the Commission is now at least nine, following pressure from President Ursula von der Leyen.

» Published:

Task: Italy gets tough EU Commissioner
Photo: Gregorio Borgia/AP/TT

Share this article

In the current commission, Italian Paolo Gentiloni is the economic commissioner. His assignment, which includes responsibility for hundreds of billions of euros in the EU's reconstruction fund after the coronavirus pandemic, may now be taken over by his compatriot Raffaele Fitto, writes Die Welt, citing sources among EU diplomats and people in the commission.

Fitto, currently Italy's European Minister, is generally tipped to become one of at least six vice presidents of the commission. The others are expected to be Estonia's Kaja Kallas, France's Thierry Breton, Spain's Teresa Ribera, Latvia's Valdis Dombrovskis, and Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic.

President von der Leyen has simultaneously managed to persuade Romania to nominate EU parliamentarian Roxana Minzatu instead of colleague Victor Negrescu. Since Belgium has also nominated a woman, Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, the new commission appears to have at least nine female members.

Who gets which area of responsibility is expected to be clear at the earliest next week.

The following persons have been nominated to the incoming EU commission, which, as usual, will consist of one person from each member state:

Women (9): President Ursula von der Leyen (Germany), Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas (Estonia), Maria Luís Albuquerque (Portugal), Hadja Lahbib (Belgium), Roxana Minzatu (Romania), Teresa Ribera (Spain), Jessika Roswall (Sweden), Dubravka Suica (Croatia), and Henna Virkkunen (Finland).

Men (17): Thierry Breton (France), Magnus Brunner (Austria), Valdis Dombrovskis (Latvia), Raffaele Fitto (Italy), Christophe Hansen (Luxembourg), Wopke Hoekstra (Netherlands), Dan Jørgensen (Denmark), Costas Kadis (Cyprus), Andrius Kubilius (Lithuania), Michael McGrath (Ireland), Glenn Micallef (Malta), Maros Sefcovic (Slovakia), Piotr Serafin (Poland), Jozef Síkela (Czech Republic), Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Greece), Olivér Várhelyi (Hungary), and Tomaz Vesel (Slovenia).

Bulgaria has nominated both a man and a woman: Julian Popov and Ekaterina Zacharieva.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Syria and Israel Engage in Talks Over Occupied Territories

Syria and Israel Engage in Talks Over Occupied Territories

USA and Allies Urge Three-Month Ceasefire in Sudan

USA and Allies Urge Three-Month Ceasefire in Sudan

Intense Bombings in Gaza Leave at Least 50 Dead

Intense Bombings in Gaza Leave at Least 50 Dead

Over 100 Dead in Congo-Kinshasa Boat Accident

Over 100 Dead in Congo-Kinshasa Boat Accident

Charlie Kirk Murder: Key Details and Suspect Arrested

Charlie Kirk Murder: Key Details and Suspect Arrested

Germany, France, UK Urge Israel to Halt Gaza Offensive

Germany, France, UK Urge Israel to Halt Gaza Offensive

USA Reviews Vaccine Recommendations Amid Controversial Child Death Data

USA Reviews Vaccine Recommendations Amid Controversial Child Death Data

European Nations Summon Russian Ambassadors Over Polish Airspace Violation

European Nations Summon Russian Ambassadors Over Polish Airspace Violation

Zelenskyj Offers Citizenship to US Envoy Kellogg During Kyiv Visit

Zelenskyj Offers Citizenship to US Envoy Kellogg During Kyiv Visit

Nato Boosts Eastern Europe Defense After Russian Drone Incursion

Nato Boosts Eastern Europe Defense After Russian Drone Incursion

Erna Solberg to Resign as Høyre Leader After Election Setback

Erna Solberg to Resign as Høyre Leader After Election Setback

Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Nuclear Plant Thwarted

Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Nuclear Plant Thwarted

Trump Considers Military Deployment to Memphis Amid Crime Concerns

Trump Considers Military Deployment to Memphis Amid Crime Concerns

US Ordered Destruction of Millions in Birth Control Pills, Report Says

US Ordered Destruction of Millions in Birth Control Pills, Report Says

Two Injured in Knife Attack Near Jerusalem Hotel

Two Injured in Knife Attack Near Jerusalem Hotel

US Politicians Heighten Security After Charlie Kirk's Murder

US Politicians Heighten Security After Charlie Kirk's Murder

Kremlin Confirms Pause in Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

Kremlin Confirms Pause in Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

EU Extends Sanctions on Russia for Another Six Months

EU Extends Sanctions on Russia for Another Six Months

161 Suspected IS Members Arrested Across Turkey

161 Suspected IS Members Arrested Across Turkey

Nobel Peace Prize Committee Stands Firm Against External Influence

Nobel Peace Prize Committee Stands Firm Against External Influence