Italy has tapped former
centre-left Democratic Party (PD) premier Paolo Gentiloni as a
candidate for the European Commission, in a communication last
night, sources in Brussels said Thursday.
The same sources said Gentiloni was the only name to have
been indicated by Rome.
European Commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen will
meet Gentiloni in Brussels Friday, sources said.
Premier Giuseppe Conte's first cabinet meeting ratified
Gentiloni's candidacy Thursday.
Conte told the cabinet he had given Gentiloni's name to von
der Leyen Thursday.
Gentiloni said: "I thank Premier Giuseppe Conte for the
office conferred. It is a responsibility that honours me. I will
try with all my might and with my work to contribute to a new
positive season for Italy and Europe".
He said "I love Italy and Europe and I'm proud of the post I
have received. Now to work for a better season".
Centre-left Democratic Party (Pd) leader Nicola Zingaretti
said "I'm happy for Paolo Gentiloni who has been tapped as EU
commissioner. Excellent choice for Italy which is back to being
a protagonist in Europe".
The PD is the junior partner in the Italian government, whose
senior partner is the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S)
led by new Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.
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