Candidate-European Commissioner Fitto is not acceptable to everyone

Hermida accused Fitto of having voted against a sanction procedure against Hungary during his time as a Member of the European Parliament. “That is inconsistent with the role you aspire to as a guardian of the EU treaties,” said Hermida.

Through a sanction procedure, officially called an infringement procedure, the European Commission calls an EU member state to order if it does not comply with European rules and international treaties. Hungary is subject to infringement procedures due to asylum policy and the rule of law. Such a procedure can ultimately lead to a lawsuit at the European Court, which can impose heavy fines.

Fitto, like the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is a member of the right-wing and conservative party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy). From 2014 to 2020, he was a Member of the European Parliament.

The Spanish Member of the European Parliament Ana Miranda Paz (the Greens) accused Fitto of collaborating with neo-fascists. She finds him “incompetent” to manage EU funds and questioned his suitability for the role. Fitto denied being a fascist.

Despite criticism from other Members of the European Parliament, Fitto promised several times during the three-hour hearing that he will act “absolutely independently” as an EU Commissioner and treat all 27 member states “in the same way.”

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has nominated Fitto for the cohesion policy portfolio. Through this policy, disadvantaged regions must be supported, with substantial funds from the European Cohesion Fund. During the hearing, he pledged to reform the policy. It must be simpler, and local and regional governments must be more involved, Fitto said. He called this “crucial” to achieve “tailored policies.”

It will only become clear later whether Fitto will be allowed to take office as EU Commissioner by the European Parliament. After the hearing, the Greens announced they would not agree to Fitto’s appointment.

(November 12, 2024)


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Greece Aims to Capitalize on Odyssey ‘Hype’

Greece Aims to Capitalize on Odyssey ‘Hype’

The initial indicators suggest that Greece is experiencing a notable increase in tourism interest. Data from easyJet holidays in early August showed a significant rise, with bookings to the Greek mainland and islands increasing by 18 percent compared to the previous week. Unforgettable Greece, a tour operator, reported a 76 percent year-on-year boost in bookings to Greece, introducing 22 new thema

Read More

Aldi Recalls Zucchinis Due to Pesticide Levels in Belgium

Aldi Recalls Zucchinis Due to Pesticide Levels in Belgium

Brussels, 24 August (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Aldi Belgium has recalled a batch of courgettes sold in its stores after excessive levels of the pesticide heptachlor were identified, with customers being told not to eat the affected vegetables. The Aldi courgette recall covers two-piece packs sold between 10 and 22 August 2026.
The recall is being carried out by Aldi Belgium on behalf of supplier Fr

Read More

Saudi Arabia to invest €6B in massive French theme park site

Saudi Arabia to invest €6B in massive French theme park site

Saudi Arabia will invest €6 billion to construct a large entertainment complex with three theme parks near Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron announced. Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed an agreement at the Elysée Palace on Monday, formalizing the deal for what Macron described as “a new global destination.” The project is anticipated to generate 22,000 jobs

Read More

65-Year-Old Motorcyclist Injured in Hasselt Collision Sunday Evening

65-Year-Old Motorcyclist Injured in Hasselt Collision Sunday Evening

Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 65 year old man from Hasselt sustained injury on a Sunday evening due to an accident involving a passenger car and a motorcycle in the city of Hasselt, situated in the Limburg province in Belgium. 
This occurred within the police district of Limburg Regio Hoofdstad (LRH) that includes the Hasselt city and nearby municipalities. Based on reports by the loc

Read More

Rising Threats Confront Mediterranean Rescue Ships

Rising Threats Confront Mediterranean Rescue Ships

SOS Méditerranée highlights increasing intimidation by vessels linked to Libya as UN data reveal a deadlier Central Mediterranean despite fewer crossings.
A humanitarian group warns of growing threats against migrants and rescue ships in the Central Mediterranean, including high-speed chases and violent interceptions by Libyan-linked vessels. SOS Méditerranée raises this concern as new Internati

Read More

Spain’s Sánchez Calls National Security Meeting 26 Days Into Ceuta Migration Crisis

Spain’s Sánchez Calls National Security Meeting 26 Days Into Ceuta Migration Crisis

The Ceuta crisis began at the end of July, when a large number of people entered the coastal semi-exclave in North Africa within 24 hours, prompting Spain to call in the army after border forces were overwhelmed. Sánchez traveled to Ceuta, labeling the crossings an “attack” and a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity. Most migrants eventually returned to Morocco, but thousands stayed.
Madrid

Read More

Colette Sauvage Reflects on 70 Turbulent Years of Marriage to Philippe Bouvard

Colette Sauvage Reflects on 70 Turbulent Years of Marriage to Philippe Bouvard

Cannes, France, 24 August (Eurotoday Newspaper) – Colette Sauvage’s seven-decade marriage to French broadcaster Philippe Bouvard endured fame, long absences and serious marital strains, with his wife once revealing that she had even put his suitcases outside the door during difficult periods in their relationship.
The couple married in 1953 and remained together for more than 70 years, until Bou

Read More

Six EU Countries Aim to Tax Oil Windfall Profits

Six EU Countries Aim to Tax Oil Windfall Profits

Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland, and Austria are advocating for the EU to reconsider a crisis-era levy amid rising fuel prices, reigniting the debate over the costs of geopolitical disruptions. These countries are pushing for a unified EU mechanism to tax the extraordinary profits gained by oil companies during the current energy crisis. They have requested the Irish EU presidency to incl

Read More

Star News Anchor Resigns as Partner Enters French Presidential Race

Star News Anchor Resigns as Partner Enters French Presidential Race

Glucksmann discussed the implications of his potential presidential candidacy on his personal life, stating that he and Salamé, his partner of over ten years, had in-depth discussions about its impact. Despite France’s history of journalists involved with politicians, Salamé indicated at a parliamentary hearing in February that she would step aside if Glucksmann pursued the presidency. Previ

Read More

Arsenal Injury Update: Tzolis Shines and Odegaard Regains Form in London

Arsenal Injury Update: Tzolis Shines and Odegaard Regains Form in London

London, 22 August (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Arsenal have received an encouraging Arsenal injury update on Bruno Guimaraes after the midfielder missed their 3-0 Premier League victory over Coventry City, while Christos Tzolis and Martin Odegaard provided Mikel Arteta with plenty of encouragement at the other end of the pitch.
The champions made a confident start to their title defence at the

Read More