Press
Mario Draghi is considered head of the EU Commission. Just plan B? Or a carefully staged maneuver by the French and Italians to bring down von der Leyen?
Rome – Did the head of the EU Commission perhaps dig her own political grave in September? At the time, Ursula von der Leyen reported to the EU Parliament that she had commissioned the Italian Mario Draghi to prepare a report on Europe’s competitiveness. Draghi, a former president of the European Central Bank and former Italian prime minister, is one of Europe’s “greatest economic minds,” she said.
The 65-year-old quoted Draghi’s famous “whatever it takes.” With these words, the Italian at the head of the ECB demonstrated to the financial markets in 2012 his determination to save the euro at all costs; the nickname “Super Mario” made the rounds. According to von der Leyen in September, Europe will now do everything it can to maintain its competitiveness. With Mario Draghi’s suggestions.
Draghi could become a stumbling block for von der Leyen
The Italian, who headed a coalition government in Rome until October 2022, gave the first insight into his recipe for saving Europe at a lecture in La Hulpe near Brussels weeks ago. Organization and decision-making processes in Europe are outdated given the changed global conditions. The EU needs more majority decisions, joint efforts and visions in defense policy as well as leadership in digital innovations.
Draghi is not due to present his report until after the European elections (June 6-9). However, some, especially in Italy, understood his manifesto as a candidacy: for the post of head of the EU Commission. Because von der Leyen’s re-election is no longer considered certain. Draghi was supposed to be their helper, but could now become a stumbling block. While Deutsche still has numerous supporters, especially among the conservatives, skepticism about her candidacy is growing. The investigations by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office against her over the procurement of vaccines from the US manufacturer Pfizer cast a shadow over her first term in office since 2019. Because of her “Green Deal” and the end of combustion engines, more and more EPP parliamentarians are even doubting her.
Macron is looking for allies against von der Leyen
How serious Mario Draghi’s option is will only become clear after the election. According to reports, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who elevated von der Leyen to office in 2019, brought Draghi into play. Von der Leyen, who was supported by Berlin, is now apparently a thorn in his side. The Commission President does not share Macron’s vision of a Europe independent of the USA. In order to push the palace maneuvers, the French president is looking for allies, including in Rome. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni becomes a key figure here.
Meloni is not just Draghi’s successor as prime minister. Despite all ideological differences, the handover of office in autumn 2022 went smoothly. Having elevated the highly respected Italian Draghi to the top spot in Europe could make Meloni even more popular with voters in the political center. The 47-year-old is trying to win over moderate voters in Italy. Operation Draghi would go in this direction.
And Draghi? He allegedly had no ambitions for the office before his election as Italian Prime Minister in 2021, but then gave in and led Italy out of the pandemic. The Italian later said he was a “grandfather in the service of the institutions.” If the EU heads of state and government pressured the 75-year-old, he would hardly refuse to become President of the Commission. (Julius Müller-Meiningen)
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