Centre-left and liberal politicians have warned they will not back Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as president of the European Commission if it includes a pact with Italy’s rightwing Premier Giorgia Meloni.
The Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the second-largest political group in the European parliament, and Renew, the liberal group led by the party of French President Emmanuel Macron have threatened to block the German’s nomination if she seeks a deal with the Italian prime minister.
Von der Leyen will need a straight majority in the 720-seat European parliament, after elections on June 6-9. Back in 2019, the centre-left and the liberal groups joined her own centre-right European People’s party (EPP), securing her first term by just nine votes.