There is not only the appointment of Raffaele Fitto as Vice President of the European Commission. The new government headed by Ursula von der Leyen is different from the previous one, perhaps also because, as Elly Schlein and the EU left complain, it is “the most right-wing ever”. And maybe, who knows, he will put the green obsessions which have characterised the last five years.
This is why the champions of the green pricked up their ears when Ursula “confessed” yesterday that the Green Deal, which she herself had given birth to together with Timmermans, will not be at the top of the list of concerns of the European government. “Climate change is very important and we must address it,” said the president. “But now the issues of security, after the Ukrainian crisis, and competitiveness have had a more significant impact on the formation of the constituency and its composition. This very much reflects the times we live in.” Translated: the issue will be addressed again, perhaps in words the transition will be “the backbone of everything we are doing,” but it will no longer be the priority of the next five years of government. Even Mario Draghiin his report, which inspires the policies of this Commission, had recalled how the “ambitious climate objectives” should be achieved with “a coherent plan” to avoid that “decarbonisation is contrary to competitiveness and growth”.
It is no coincidence then that there is no longer a single Commissioner for the Green Deal and Climate, and that the powers have been split between four different “ministries”. This will make everything much more “complicated”, also given the political affiliation of the designated commissioners. The Spanish socialist will manage the Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera, an iron environmentalist. However, he will be supported by the Dutchman Wopke Hoekstra, already replacing Timmermans, who many consider a “sceptic” also given his past at Shell: with his arrival in the last phase of the previous legislature, some changes to the EU green rules were initiated at the behest of the EPP. The rest of the environmental policies will be divided between Jessika Roswall (Sweden – EPP), which will be responsible for Environment, water resilience and competitive circular economy; and Dan Jorgensen (Denmark – S&D), with the Energy portfolio (which is however anti-nuclear).
“The entire College – explained Ursula – is committed to the competitiveness! Strengthen our technological sovereignty, security and democracy. Build a competitive, decarbonised and circular economy, with a fair transition for all”. The change of direction did not please the co-president of France Insoumise, Manon Aubry, according to whom the Commission will only hammer home the economy “which replaced the Green Deal”. “Under the false flag of ‘competitiveness’ – attacks the Left group in the EU Parliament – Ursula Von der Leyen is dismantling policies that are vital for people and the planet. Prioritising industrial interests over the climate crisis is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous for democracy”. It is not a guarantee of a change of pace. But if the morning is a good sign of the day…