Von der Leyen Commission, EP already split on the new French candidate

The committee on Legal affairs of the European Parliament gave the green light to the hearings of the three commissioner-designated for Transport, Enlargement, Industry and defense. The MEPs decided that there are not clear conflict of interests, so Thierry Breton, Olivér Várhelyi e Adina Valean can be heard by the competent parliamentary commissions. The hearings … Continue reading Von der Leyen Commission, EP already split on the new French candidate

EU Commission entering into power officially delayed

Von der Leyen's team to start 1 December after three commissioners-designated didn't get the confidence of MEPs The 1st of December is the new 1st of November. If everything is going to be OK, of course. The conference of the presidents of the European Parliament took note of the impossibility for the president elected of … Continue reading EU Commission entering into power officially delayed

MEPs showed Macron and von der Leyen that European Parliament matters

Emmanuel Macron underestimated the European Parliament. The French president was too sure that in the EU of the Member States the co-legislator had no particular role. He wanted to submit the name of Sylvie Goulard for the post of next commissioner for Industry, internal market and defense despite the French woman’s pending problems with justice. … Continue reading MEPs showed Macron and von der Leyen that European Parliament matters

Salvini’s MEPs are the second delegation for external financing

Who the MEPs from the League work for? They sit in the European Parliament, but they receive also money from outside. Who is paying Matteo Salvini’s men is not clear, what is certain is that the Italian sovereignists are among the main delegations for extra-activities, a study published yesterday (26 September) revealed. Members of the … Continue reading Salvini’s MEPs are the second delegation for external financing

MEPs to quiz Gentiloni on his independence from Italy

Preliminary interviews have started for all commissioner candidates, and Paolo Gentiloni made no exception. From 30 September to 8 October the European Parliament will quiz all the people nominated for the role of next members of the European Commission, in public hearings to be held in Brussels. But MEPs already decided to put under scrutiny … Continue reading MEPs to quiz Gentiloni on his independence from Italy

Irene Tinagli is the new chair of the ECON committee. Another woman for a relevant EU job

Italy and the Democratic Party (PD) conserved the top job in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), as the parliamentary body filled the seat left empty by Roberto Gualtieri by electing Irene Tinagli new president on Monday (16 September). Tinagli got the new role by acclamation. Initially elected president of the parliamentary body, … Continue reading Irene Tinagli is the new chair of the ECON committee. Another woman for a relevant EU job

Fact check: Can Gentiloni change the fiscal rules?

Maybe it’s enthusiasm, maybe it’s wishful thinking. Whatever the reason, Patrizia Toia was wrong. On Tuesday (10 September) the Democratic Party (PD) MEP made public remarks containing false information about the European Union. And it’s put on writing, in the press release sent to the press immediately after the official nomination of Paolo Gentiloni as … Continue reading Fact check: Can Gentiloni change the fiscal rules?

Five Stars escaped the crisis in Italy, but split in Brussels

The delegation of the Five Star Movement (M5S) at the European Parliament is losing unity, and risks falling into pieces. At least two MEPs criticized the decision of the party of forming a governing coalition with the Democratic Party (PD). The new Italian government, in other words, caused an earthquake inside the Movement. Ignazio Corrao … Continue reading Five Stars escaped the crisis in Italy, but split in Brussels

A guide to the Italian substitute MEPs

In the European Parliament all MEPs have ‘extra-job’ to do, as they are responsible for one or more parliamentary committees of which they are members, plus one or more committees where they work as substitute members whenever needed. In the EU body, in fact, there are ‘official’ members of the European Parliament, and there are … Continue reading A guide to the Italian substitute MEPs