Nicola Zingaretti new head of the PD delegation in Brussels: “Here to perform a national function”

Brussels – The leadership of the Democratic Party in the EU Parliament changes: Brando Benifei leaves the baton to Nicola Zingaretti. The decision was taken by acclamation this morning (July 23) after weeks of close confrontations in the delegation. Alessandra Moretti, in her third term as an MEP, was elected vice-president at his side.

The former President of the Lazio region, a former MEP 20 years ago from 2004 to 2008, will thus coordinate the largest delegation of the Socialists and Democrats group in the EU Parliament. With 21 elected, the Dems have overtaken the Spanish PSOE.
At a press point in the European Parliament, Moretti presented the four cornerstones of the PD’s new course in Brussels: the “construction of a peace project”, the “continuation of the ecological transition”, and “social Europe and the issue of gender policies”.

Zingaretti, highlighting the opposite choice made by Fratelli d’Italia and Lega, claimed the delegation’s support for von der Leyen “firstly because she has defined a clear pro-European perimeter”. The new delegation leader, however, guaranteed that this is not a ‘blank cheque; we are here to condition the European Commission’s choices’. Struck by the vote “of those who govern Italy”, for whom “a party interest has prevailed over the national interest”, Zingaretti relaunched: “We feel we have a national function”.

Also at the press point with the two new heads of the Dem bureau in Brussels was Brando Benifei, who, during his tenure as head of the delegation, went through three PD secretariats. It was under the leadership of Nicola Zingaretti from 2019 to 2021 that he was appointed head of the Dem delegation. The 38-year-old from La Spezia, already in his third term, has been elected coordinator of the Social Democrats for International Trade and listed as the new President of the EU-US Interparliamentary Delegation for Relations with the US Congress.”I want to thank Secretary Elly Schlein and President Stefano Bonaccini for the trust placed in me and the entire leadership team, starting with old and new colleagues. Now let’s work for a fairer Europe and Italy!” the former delegation leader tweeted.