Here we go again

With the establishment of the European Parliament, the new European legislature began: Roberta Metsola was re-elected president with a plebiscite of 90% of the valid votes and above all the first vote of confidence on the candidate for president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who obtained 401 votes in favour, 40 more than the required majority (there were only 7 in 2019). Controversial and uncertain to the end, it was a true political masterpiece, given the need to find a formula of convergence bordering on the impossible, between very different agendas. In the end, without the votes of the right, nor the sovereignist, reactionary or decidedly fascist ones (to refer to the three political groups to the right of the PP, 187 deputies, 26% of the chamber). With the votes of the People's Party, the Liberals and the Socialists, joined by the Greens, not so much because there was no U-turn on the Green Deal, but because of a democratic barrage.
Ursula's program is very ecumenical. They range from prosperity to competitiveness, which looks at a pragmatic application of the green agenda and decisive support for businesses, with a dedicated fund. Followed by the priority of defense and security, both looking at support for Ukraine and a European Defense Union.

Third, enlargement, as a response to the geopolitical challenge, accompanied by a clear commitment to the reform of the Treaties. Fourth, a social and democratic Europe, which strengthens what has already been started in this legislature and also the defense of the rule of law. There are some interesting new ideas, such as the revival of Enrico Letta's proposal for a true Savings and Investment Union, which would allow the very large funds that make their way to the United States to be directed towards businesses; a European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, who responds to the Italian request to rebalance attention to the South; a specific delegation on housing policy, which takes care of the many fragilities and exclusions, which however is not a European competence envisaged by the Treaties.

An apparently continuous program, based on a solid and clear majority. But all that glitters is not gold.
Analyzing the 30 pages of von der Leyen's program more in depth, we understand his and the popular group's masterpiece: using the bogeyman of the turn to the right and riding the heavy condemnation of Orban's unflinching adventures, they obtained the progressives' vote on an agenda that responds to an axis of priorities that bears the clear mark of the EPP and welcomes many requests from the other conservative forces that have strengthened themselves throughout Europe.
Furthermore, confirming the logic of the fortress on immigration and without any reference to new common debt instruments to finance the double climate and digital transition and defence. Everything postponed to the discussion on the next multi-annual budget.

Ursula von der Leyen's encore begins like this, with a sigh of relief but as a challenge yet to be played. Now the focus shifts to the appointment of commissioners and their portfolios. Parliament will still be able to influence not a little the unforeseen scrutiny of each of them. In the next college, 13 commissioners will be from the PP and two from the conservatives and reformists, the liberals 5 or 6 and the socialists 3 or 4. Balances similar to those of the current European governments. In short, this vote gives us a strong and not obvious response from Europe to the risk of instability, because knowing how to build coalitions is an essential condition of viable democracies. And here it was done in a few weeks and the message was well understood even outside European borders. But now the road will be all uphill, to continue to change this Europe, towards sustainability, resilience, greater inclusiveness and cohesion, a more humane migration policy and above all to make diplomacy prevail over weapons and give substance to the historic European vocation for peace.

Luca Jahier
NP August / September 2024