Fitto promises European Parliament punctuality on NRRP deadlines: ‘No payments after 2026’

Brussels – A detailed set of 13 questions, to which Raffaele Fitto – like all the other executive vice presidents and simple commissioners-designate – responded in writing, explaining in detail to the relevant parliamentary committees how he plans to carry out his duties. The hearing of the Italian commissioner on November 12 will be one of the most tense because the progressive wing of the European Parliament is unhappy about having a member of Fratelli d’Italia on the board of the next EU executive. To overcome the scrutiny of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) unscathed, Fitto makes two points clear: his attachment to pro-European values and his commitment to ensure the implementation of the NRRP in the member states by 2026 without any concession.

 In his brief overview of the political posts he held so far, the Meloni party loyalist never mentions membership to Fratelli d’Italia. However, to prove his pro-European vocation, he cites militancy in Democrazia Cristiana (Christian Democracy), a party the values of which he “always shared.” Furthermore, he assures his “absolute” commitment to gender equality “starting with my Cabinet” and embedded “in cohesion policy and all other areas of my portfolio.”

His experience as the minister responsible for implementing the Italian NRRP, “the largest in Europe in terms of size,” demonstrates that he has what it takes for the post given to him by von der Leyen. “If I am confirmed, I intend to make use of this experience by working together with the Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis, Ed.) for, as indicated in my mission letter, delivering on the agreed reforms and investments set out in Member State’s recovery and Resilience Plan, by the 2026 expenditure deadline,” Fitto explains. 

On meeting the commitments made by European chancelleries, the vice president-designate assures that –should some governments be in trouble — he will work with member states on “how to amend their plans and ensure that funds are focused on equally ambitious alternative investments that can be completed within the lifetime of the Facility.” If this is not enough, and ” some of the last milestones or targets are still considered as not satisfactorily fulfilled,” Fitto promises a tough stance: “The corresponding disbursement will not be made,” he made clear to MEPs.

The good intentions of the Italian minister include a willingness to “emphasize preventive measures more strongly” to stem the risk of natural disasters, increasing the flexibility of cohesion policy funds, and ensuring that any investment “can withstand climate impacts.” Fitto includes in the “priorities” of cohesion policy overcoming regional disparities, ensuring a commitment to “ensure that citizens have an effective right to stay in the place they call home and can remain in their communities by improving access to public services and private activities, quality jobs, education and skills, health, transport and digital connectivity.” For this right to be guaranteed, the vice president-designate will work “closely with local and regional authorities to strengthen their administrative capacities for effective fund management.” 

MEPs asked Fitto for some guarantees on the management of Cohesion funds relating to the respect for the rule of law. “The Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation applies to all EU funds, including Cohesion Policy. I am fully committed to these principles,” is the candidate’s response, who then leans toward von der Leyen’s policy guidelines, which want a long-term budget that “invests in respect for the rule of law” that provides “safeguards to continue to ensure respect for it.”