Manfred Weberleader of the European PP, knows what the issues are. He continues to defend the pact with the socialists to form the European Commission. He understands the “need” of Ursula von der Leyen, with whom he spoke every day of this eventful week in Brussels, to see her community government operational “on December 1st”. And he is aware that his party’s blockade against Therese Ribera This puts the whole thing on the precipice.
But he also defends the principles and values of the popular people, according to sources close to him. And he does not want to support Ribera as European vice-president, ignoring one of the maxims of the European Union: responsibility.
And if not, what is the hearing that all candidate commissioners undergo before the European Parliament? And how will a Europeanist accept fit for work (adapted to the position) to someone who did not assume his responsibilities in a disaster like the DANA in Valencia, “one of the most serious of the century in Europe”?
The policies of the PP are contrary to those of Ribera concerning the primary sector and clash with the rhythms of the energy transition. But the EU is built with “grand coalitions”, like the one that voted in favor of Von der Leyen in July. Four parties were concentrated: the EPP, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the liberals of Renew and the Greens.
Thanks to the pact, as winner of the 9-J elections, the Popular Party has the presidency of the Commission, but it cedes the first vice-presidency to the socialists (second force). And regarding policies, this climate vice-presidency coordinates three commissioners who all come from the EPP.
And this agreement continues to be respected and Weber continues to defend it. “There is no doubt that this portfolio is reserved for socialists“There is not even a discussion about the occupation of someone from Spain,” specifies a senior popular Brussels official. What cannot be accepted is Ribera in the current circumstances. And if these are maintained, “Pedro Sánchez will have to replace her with another person“.
What will the Spanish president do? According to the sources consulted in Brussels, we must stop “kidnapping” the Italian candidate, Raffaele Fittowhich European socialists reject because of its origin, from the government of Giorgia Meloni.
Because, even if the approvals of the six vice-presidential candidates are officially frozen, no one in Brussels forgets that the S&D has been accusing the EPP for more than a month of maintaining “a hidden pact” with the ECR conservatives. And that the blockade of Fitto as economic vice-president was sung, as a preventive measure, to avoid that of Ribera, who has always been “the weakest candidate for the top job“.
EPP sources emphasize that this decision comes more from Spain than from Italy. That the European deputies of his country of origin, even socialists, will vote in his favor. And it is Sánchez’s power within the Socialist Group that is at the origin of this situation. “SO If Sánchez does not lift the Italian veto, there will be no Commission“confirms this source.
But Sánchez won’t think about it until Ribera gets a pass.
And what should the Spanish socialist candidate do? “First give explanations to the Spanish Congress,” says a Weber advisor. “And if they are not satisfactory, our coordinators will maintain their veto.” In other words, “the pressure will be on Sánchez and Iratxe García”, the Spanish leader of the S&D in the European Parliament.
It was very annoying last Tuesday that Ribera arrived at the European Parliament without having given any explanations in Spain. It was even strident that they had to ask her questions about national issues that she had not wanted to discuss in her country. “But his portfolio here is almost the same as there, and the floods in Valencia are directly linked to his position in Spain,” underlines a German MEP.
In addition, the third vice-president of the government must undertake to leave the European Commission in the event that legal proceedings are opened against her because of DANA. “Everyone does that, resign. And that is taken for granted before being approved; but in this case, she chose to remain minister in Spain until we give her the job in Europe,” The disaster has overtaken her and complaints have already been filed against her.“.
As one of Weber’s colleagues says, he who has a dirty plate will not be seated at the table of European decisions. And even less if you aspire to be the number two of the Commission.
Last Tuesday, a few hours before Teresa Ribera sat before the three committees of the European Parliament which examined her acceptance or not as European commissioner, she already knew that the note would be a failure. Moreover, the atmosphere in Brussels had been waiting for him for more than a month, and the solvency of his answers to the deputies’ questions would have nothing to do with it. Even less the DANA in Valencia, which had not yet taken place.
24 key hours
The European S&D Group therefore expected at most a difficult hearing from Spanish MEPs. And the most that the leaders of the Spanish PP in Brussels were betting on was to convince one of their colleagues from the Twenty-Seven to ask serious questions to the Spanish vice-president.
But everything accelerated with a video call from Alberto Núñez Feijóo to Manfred Weber, the president of the European PP, on Monday. The Galician politician made the Bavarian understand the situation.
The argument that Ribera is still the minister responsible for environmental policy carried weight. Especially since the portfolio he aspires to in Brussels is very similar in terms of skills. The key circumstance was added: “Ribera hid and avoided his responsibilities in the disaster without giving any explanations. »
At that time, Weber already understood Feijóo’s reasons, not only for the Spanish PP to forget all electoral discipline and respect the “great European pact”. But he still hadn’t changed his mind. “The European Union is being built together and democratic forces must be able to reach compromises,” he said.
But, according to EPP sources, two elements have marked the German politician in the last 24 hours: the unity of the Continental People’s Party, which would guarantee him to continue leading the party during the next spring congress (which is taking place precisely in Valencia), only if Feijóo maintains his alliance with him.
And already Tuesday morning, the accumulation of news on the political decisions and the abandonment of responsibility of Ribera. Among them, information from this newspaper in which she was indicated in 2011 as secretary of state approving certain works and in 2021, as minister, paralyzing them. The article spread like wildfire within the Brussels delegation because, according to sources, it demonstrated two things.
First, there was not only possible negligence of the Hydrographic Confederation of Júcar with an “information blackout” in the key two and a half hours of the Poyo ravine. And secondly, there is a specific political decision of the Ministry of Riverside in the possible origin of the scale of the disaster: the cessation, three years ago, of certain “channeling and drainage” works of the ravine.
The 2011 report approved by Secretary of State Ribera recognized that this action was a priority to, at a minimum, “mitigate” the harmful effects of a large flood of water. The opposite decision, in September 2021, rejected it for a “new cost-benefit vision”.
After this video call from Feijóo, Weber called Iratxe García. It was still Monday afternoon and, respecting the “great pact”, he warned him of the situation. Either the Spanish vice-president gives explanations to Congress, or she will never be European vice-president. For this reason, Ribera immediately disclosed that evening that he had already requested his appearance and had even set a date for it.
This Wednesday 20 you will have to test your innocence. Or else he will have been condemned. After satisfying this condition, commit to resign if a judge “touches” you for DANA. And only then did the three German EPP coordinators in the decision-making committees of the European Parliament, who have already publicly promised to vote against him, “they would rethink their decision“.
Meanwhile, Sánchez must order García swallow with the Italian commissioner. Because, as in the case of the Hungarian Oliver Varhelyitheir blocking is not due to objective reasons, but to the ideology of their original governments… and “there is no guarantee that their veto will bring someone better to the decision-making table in Brussels”.
