Tough grilling awaits Italian commissioner in Parliament

Members of the European Parliament are expected to give a hard time to the Italian commissioner-designate Antonio Tajani during his hearing procedure in the European Parliament in the coming weeks, various Parliament sources said.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi officially designated Tajani to replace outgoing EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini, who was sworn in as Italy’s foreign minister on 8 May. 

But the expected hard time fellow members of the European Parliament are expected to give Tajani, especially from the Left, should not be taken personally. The reaction is due to the fact that the new Italian government has its most far-right composition since the Second World War, Parliament sources said. 

The Northern League, an anti-immigrant party and key ally of Berlusconi, received several posts, including the Interior Ministry. Lega leader Umberto Bossi, who has been campaining for more devolution to the north, now holds the reform portfolio. 

Frattini stepped down from the post of Commission vice president responsible for justice, freedom and security to become the foreign minister of the fourth government of Silvio Berlusconi. This is a post he already held in 2002-2004. 

In a statement, Frattini said his decision to leave the Commission was a “difficult one”, describing his time at the EU executive as a “highly rewarding experience”. 

“I am proud of the results we have achieved during my term of office,” he said, giving assurances that he would remain a committed European in his new role. “I have always been and will remain a committed and dedicated European and, in my new capacity, I will strive to help Europe grow faster and stronger,” he said. 

Commission President José Manuel Barroso gave Frattini’s portfolio to French Commissioner Jacques Barrot. As a result, the new Italian commissioner will receive the less important transport portfolio. There, one of the hot issues awaiting Tajani is the controversial state loan to troubled Italian airline Alitalia. (EURACTIV 25/04/08) 

Tajani pursued a career as a journalist before entering politics, becoming a member of the European Parliament in 1994, where he led the Forza Italia delegation. He also holds the post of Vice President of the EPP, the Parliament’s leading centre-right political party. 

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