EU appointments, OK for von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas. Italy abstains on Ursula and says no to the other two - Why Meloni decided to tear herself away

"The proposal formulated by the Populars, Socialists and Liberals for the new European summits is wrong in method and substance," the Prime Minister wrote tonight on X, the former Twitter. "I decided not to support it out of respect for the citizens and the indications that came from those citizens in the elections. Let us continue to work to finally give Italy the weight it deserves in Europe'.

Net of the election result in Italy, which rewarded Fratelli d'Italia, at the European level the Conservative parliamentary group, to which the Italian party belongs, obtained just over 10% of the seats. Unlike the European Council, decisions on EU posts are taken on the basis of political affiliations, not national interests. The popular-socialist-liberal alliance weighs more than 50% of the hemicycle, and counts 22 leaders out of 27 in the European Council.

"I firmly believe that it is a good thing" that "parties belonging to right-wing populist families are not" part of the support for the agreement on European appointments, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, responding to questions about Italy's abstention on the name of Ursula von der Leyen. The chancellor repeatedly stressed the importance of the fact that the agreement had been finalised by the 'majority' families and 'not other political forces'.

"I would like to express my gratitude to all European leaders," Mrs von der Leyen commented in the night. "I will seek confirmation of my nomination to the European Parliament after presenting my political programme for the next five years." She added: "Yes, Giorgia Meloni abstained on my nomination, but it is important to work well in the Council with Italy, as well as with the other member states, it is a principle I always follow."

As mentioned, the majority counts on 399 seats compared to the required minimum of 361. Mrs von der Leyen will want to widen her pool of MPs towards the left and the right. For some time she has also been looking at the possibility of obtaining votes from some conservative parties, such as Fratelli d'Italia or the Belgian N-VA. At the same time, it can also hope to gain the support of some green parties. The expected vote of confidence could take place as early as mid-July in Strasbourg.