Von der Leyen sees encore, wait for interview with Meloni

The Greens almost on board. The call for European unity against those who, like Viktor Orban, want to destroy that Europe. The non-belligerence pact to be signed with Giorgia Meloni in a phone call that, in terms of content and timing, remains shrouded in mystery. Ursula von der Leyen is preparing for the week that, barring any sensational twists and turns, should bring her back to the head of the EU. The strategy of inclusion seems to have paid off. Faced with the trap of the franchi tiratori in the EPP, Socialists and Liberals, von der Leyen responded by widening the perimeter of the majority, with a turn on the Green Deal that convinced the Greens and opened a channel even with the Left.

"It was an intense hour". So said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after her meeting with the Ecr group this morning in Strasbourg. It is likely that in the meeting von der Leyen put the emphasis on one of Ecr's most cherished topics, migration. The former defence minister's aim is to find common ground, not stable allies. "There will be no structural cooperation with Ecr," von der Leyen reiterated to M5S during the Monday meeting with The Left, however.

There is, however, a parallel negotiation awaiting the Commission President, and that is the one with Giorgia Meloni. The expected phone call between the two has been confirmed again by European sources. It is not certain that it will take place before the meeting between von der Leyen and the group. Nor is it certain to lead to an official position of Fratelli d'Italia in favour of von der Leyen. On the contrary, there are those in the corridors of the Euro Chamber who are ready to bet that, in the end, the Melonians will abstain. At the moment in that group Ursula can count on the yes of the Belgians of N-Va and the Czechs of Ods. The rest of the delegation - not counting Fdi - could vote against, although among the Pis Poles an unprecedented possibilism filters through. Another thing is what will happen in the secret vote: in that case, in the choice of MEP or delegation, not only the priorities of the programme for the next five years will count. They will count, much more prosaically, the seats.

It was about the programme, however, that von der Leyen spoke in the meeting with the Left. The draft of his speech on Thursday morning consists of about thirty pages. 'Prosperity, democracy and security' will be the three pillars. To the Left, von der Leyen assured that he would keep the 'straight bar' on the 2030 and 2050 goals of the ecological transition. And, at the same time, he drew a line between the Patriots group, the Europe of Sovereign Nations group and all others. With the first two, led by Orban, Lega, Marine Le Pen and Afd, there will be no dialogue. With all the others, yes. 'If we are united as an EU we can overcome mountains,' von der Leyen punctuated, pointing to the US elections in November as one of the key dates in Europe's future too.

Von der Leyen, during his meetings, designed his interventions according to the interlocutor. He explained to everyone that he wants to create a single defence market and establish a commissioner for the sector. And he promised to tackle the housing emergency, again opening up an ad hoc delegation to the Berlymont Palace. He also emphasised the great attention the Commission would pay to the agriculture sector where, he explained, a generational change was still needed. The Left concluded the meeting by maintaining its 'no' vote on Thursday but, certainly, no barricades will be raised. The Greens' 53 votes, on the other hand, for Ursula are almost certain. Immediately afterwards, the Greens will demand that a written document certify their entry into the majority. Much may also depend on how decisive their votes are. But, according to the latest calculations, it could be the ecologists who save von der Leyen this time. The one who won't need any help is Roberta Metsola: tomorrow she will be president of the Eurochamber again with a very solid majority.