A Latvian MEP is the most likely to become the European Conservative and Reformist (ECR) group’s Spitzencandidate (lead candidate) for the June European Parliament elections, sources told Brussels Signal.
National Alliance representative Roberts Zile MEP will probably be formally selected for the role later on April 23, although opposition to his appointment remains, mainly in the form of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party.
Speaking to Brussels Signal, an independent source noted that much of the ECR is looking to present itself as a serious group capable of challenging the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group and the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP).
Zile is thought to be a good compromise candidate for this, with the politician being seen as capable of raising the profile of ECR, as well as bridging relations between the Italians and EPP.
“After the elections, the final dispute will be between Meloni and [current European Commission President Ursula] Von der Leyen,” the source said.
“The Commission President knows that she will need the support of Italy if she wants to repeat in office,” the source added, referring to Von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as EC chief.
So far, Fratelli d’Italia members are still reportedly keen to see one of their own take the top job, with the country’s Minister of European Affairs Raffaele Fitto being tipped as Meloni’s favourite for the ECR Spitzencandidate position.
The source said that the ECR appointing Fitto would give Meloni an excuse to choose him as Italy’s Commissioner for the EP’s next legislative session. This manoeuvre could also reduce the chance of the EPP’s Antonio Tajani – a member of Fratelli’s coalition partner Forza Italia – muscling his way into the senior role.
“The Italians want to place one of their own because it is most likely that the person chosen as Spitzenkandidat by the ECR could take a seat in the Berlaymont from June onwards,” said another source close to Meloni’s party.
"Until you change this policy, you can't expect us to welcome you into our family."
Czech MEP @AlexandrVondra tells Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán he must change his attitude towards Ukraine before his party can join the ECR group.
Watch the full interview at https://t.co/64W8ww3Paq pic.twitter.com/n6Mcygy3lj
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) February 22, 2024
Such a power struggle comes amid a broader conflict over the future identity of ECR, with some inside the group wanting it to moderate its positions to drift closer to the EPP, while others want to build tighter relations with the hard-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group.
“One part of the ECR looks favourably on EPP and another on ID,” one insider said.
“Some parties want to present a more presidential face, closer to the establishment; others, on the other hand, want to be a tough opposition to anything that means continuing on the same path of the last few years.”
There is also disagreement on whether the ECR should be appointing a Spitzencandidate in the first place, with one parliamentary source calling it a “scam”.
“We could already see how in the last election the People’s candidate was Manfred Weber and they ended up imposing Von der Leyen out of nowhere.”
“It is one more way of making people believe that there is a democratic process in the upper echelons of Brussels, but then, internally, everything is chosen in the offices.”
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— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) February 21, 2024
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