Meloni hails pick of far-right ally for next European Commission

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her satisfaction with the planned appointment of her far-right confidant Raffaele Fitto as one of the vice presidents of the European Commission.

"Italy is finally a key player in Europe again," she declared in Rome after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her picks for commissioners for the next five years.

"Good luck, Raffaele. We are sure that you will fulfil your duties very well in the interest of Europe and Italy," she said.

Fitto, who belongs to Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, was previously with the Christian Democrats and the conservative Forza Italia party founded by Silvio Berlusconi.

In Brussels, he is to hold the cohesion and reforms portfolio in von der Leyen's team of commissioners.

Currently, Fitto is the Minister for European Affairs in Meloni's coalition of three right-wing parties which has been vigorously attempting to gain more influence in Brussels.

The European Parliament still needs to approve the appointment.

Resistance to the appointment has already been voiced in recent days from various factions who see Fitto as emblematic of a dangerous rightward shift in Europe. But others in Brussels dismiss that view, describing Fitto as more of a moderate and, above all, pro-European.