European Socialists fear the composition of the next EU executive may not reflect progressive priorities, leaving them on the sidelines in shaping the bloc’s social policy
Leaked reports of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s picks for her new executive, suggesting her European People’s Party (EPP) will win the most influential portfolios, have angered Socialists in the European Parliament, who fear they will not be heard in the new mandate.
Last week, Euronews exclusively saw a document suggesting the EPP will secure key posts, including the employment, social affairs and a newly created housing portfolio. These positions would go to the likes of Austrian Commissioner Magnus Brunner and Croatian Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, both of whom are EPP members.
Socialists want to protect social agenda for next five years
In a note, the president of the Socialist group, Iratxe García, described the commitment to social rights of the alleged new Commissioner for Employment as “questionable to say the least”. In the same note, the Socialists stressed that this portfolio should be given to someone from the “progressive family”.
There are currently four Socialist candidates for Commission posts, with Spain’s Teresa Ribera vying for an executive vice-presidency in a relevant policy area. However, the other three – Denmark’s Dan Jørgensen, Malta’s Glenn Micallef and Romania’s Roxana Mînzatu – are expected to receive less senior roles.
The Socialists are calling for the Commissioners in charge of social affairs to commit to the La Hulpe Declaration on the future of social Europe.
Signed during the Belgian EU presidency, this document – endorsed by von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola – sets out a social agenda for 2024-2029, reaffirming a “European Pillar of Social Rights” as the basis for the bloc’s social policy in the coming years.
In addition to political concerns, the Socialists are closely monitoring the gender balance within the new Commission and continue to call for parity in the College of Commissioners.
Although von der Leyen initially received only four women among the nominations, political pressure – especially on smaller member states – helped her secure at least eleven female commissioners.
Socialists’ concerns over Raffaele Fitto’s nomination as vice-president
Another source of tension is the nomination of Italian candidate Raffaele Fitto as executive vice-president. Fitto is a member of the Brothers of Italy and therefore of the far-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, which voted against confirming von der Leyen as president.
García warned that bringing the ECR “into the heart of the Commission” could alienate the Socialists’ support.
“Our support has never been a blank cheque. We have always been clear that the next Commission must meet our expectations, both politically and in principle,” said Stefan Löfven, president of the Party of European Socialists (PES).
The Socialists are the second largest political group in the European Parliament with 189 MEPs and supported von der Leyen in her confirmation vote in July.
This article is originally published on it.euronews.com
