EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made it clear during a live debate in the Parliament that she is open to cooperating with Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party. This potential coalition between her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and Meloni’s party comes as the far-right parties, such as the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, did not participate in the debate due to the lack of a top candidate for the upcoming June elections.
Von der Leyen emphasized that any partnership with Meloni’s party would be based on three key criteria: being pro-EU, against Russian President Vladimir Putin, and supporting the rule of law. This stance sets the EPP apart from other mainstream parties that have pledged not to work with far-right forces.
During the debate, the candidates from the Left, Greens, Liberals, and Socialists and Democrats (S&D) criticized von der Leyen for considering alliances with the far-right. They highlighted the differences in vision for Europe and the potential risks of working with parties that aim to dismantle the EU from within.
The discussion also touched on important topics such as the economy, defense, migration, and climate change. Von der Leyen stressed the need for more “own resources” to fund defense initiatives at the EU level, while other candidates proposed different approaches to strengthen the bloc’s defense capabilities.
Overall, the debate highlighted the contrasting views among the candidates and the importance of addressing social issues, such as poverty and job creation, to combat the rise of the far-right in Europe. The upcoming elections on June 6-9 will be crucial in shaping the future direction of the EU.