Raffaele Fitto, the Italian nominee for Commission Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, recently faced a European Parliament confirmation hearing where he focused on the technical aspects of his portfolio. Nominated by Giorgia Meloni, Fitto emphasized that he would not represent his party or country but rather the EU as a whole for the next five years. Despite attempts by MEPs to highlight his right-wing political views, Fitto remained committed to serving the interests of the European Union. He vowed to abide by EU Treaties and the Commission’s code of conduct, distancing himself from his party, Fratelli d’Italia.
During the hearing, Fitto avoided discussing politically sensitive topics and instead focused on his dedication to representing the EU and upholding the rule of law, which he described as an essential principle of the EU. He declined to engage on domestic Italian issues despite attempts by Italian MEPs to draw him into these matters. Fitto defended his tenure as Italy’s Minister for European Affairs and outlined his plans to double the EU housing budget and strengthen the European Social Fund to address future job losses across the Member States.
Fitto’s nomination as the Commission Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms has raised concerns regarding the allocation of cohesion funds and their possible redirection to military expenditures. Although Fitto stated that current rules do not allow for such redirection, he did not disclose his personal stance on the issue. The issue of withholding cohesion funds from Hungary due to breaches of the rule of law was also raised during the hearing. Fitto reiterated the importance of the rule of law in the EU and promised to maintain an equal distance from all 27 governments.
Despite criticisms of his voting record as an MEP, particularly regarding his stance on Hungary and women’s protection within cohesion policy, Fitto defended his position by stressing the need to separate his political views from his institutional role in the European Commission. Dutch MEP Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle questioned Fitto’s voting record but Fitto maintained that his political views were irrelevant to his responsibilities within the Commission. Fitto avoided engaging in discussions on specific political issues and remained focused on his commitment to representing the EU’s interests.
Overall, Raffaele Fitto’s confirmation hearing for the role of Commission Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms showcased his dedication to representing the EU and upholding its core principles. Despite criticisms and attempts to draw him into domestic Italian politics, Fitto remained steadfast in his commitment to serving the EU as a whole. His focus on technical aspects of his portfolio and his pledge to abide by EU Treaties and the Commission’s code of conduct demonstrate his readiness to assume the responsibilities of the role if confirmed.
