If voters reject you at the polls, you can always expect a prize from Europe. The most emblematic case is undoubtedly that of Luigi Di Maio, who since the beginning of June has begun to deal with his new position as EU manager in the countries of the Persian Gulf (those interested can see some photos and videos on his official social profiles). The last victorious loser is Enrico Letta, who shares the electoral collapse of last September 25 with the former leader of Impegno Civico. The former secretary of the Democratic Party has just been tasked with drawing up a plan for the new European single market. The important task was assigned to him by the Belgian government, led by Liberal Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who will assume the presidency of the EU Council in January 2024. Brussels asked Enrico Letta, as president of the Jacques Delors Institute, to prepare a report on the future of the single market in autonomy and independence. The objective had been indicated by the European Council in the “Conclusions” of 30 June, which said: “The European Council requests that an independent high-level report on the future of the Single Market be presented at its March 2024 meeting and invites the forthcoming Council Presidencies and the Commission to continue to work on this matter, in consultation with the Member States”.
The transfer will not be remunerated and will be for a fixed period, ending in March 2024, with the presentation of the Report to the Council of the EU, the last one before the next European elections. The fact that it is a free ticket marks a clear difference for Di Maio, who charges a lot to go to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Democratic Party deputy, however, will be able to count on a leadership showcase that will allow him to influence the future of the European Union. It was Letta himself who broke the news in an interview with the newspaper Le Soir. “I’m looking for the magic formula to relaunch the European single market,” he commented. It should be noted that the former secretary of the Democratic Party will carry out his mission precisely on the eve of the next European elections, which are due to take place in June 2024.
It is in this perspective that the task assigned to Letta assumes greater importance, giving rise to a politician from the Italian left to influence the future of the twenty-seven. It is no coincidence that the first (controversial) reaction is that of Matteo Salvini’s League, which in its social networks makes fun of the resemblance to the former grillino: “They lose the elections in Italy, they make a career in Europe. After Di Maio, Letta. Long live Democracy…” A post that recalls the one from a few days ago, when the leader of the League commented on Carola Rackete’s intention to run in the next European elections: “From the collision of the Italian patrol boats of the Guardia di Finanza to the candidacy for Brussels with the German left, it’s a moment. Best wishes, long live democracy “.
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.