Populars and Socialists: Italy’s shared vision of European agricultural policy

Brussels – The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Union’s policy aimed at supporting European countries’ agriculture, which has remained structurally similar over the years, may now face a radical overhaul. 

The European Commission, two weeks ahead of the presentation of the new multiannual financial framework (the forecasts for the budget and management of funds from 2028 to 2034) scheduled for 16 July, is working on a project to ‘unify’ the main EU funds (of which agriculture and cohesion account for more than 60 per cent) into a single cauldron. However, the CAP has always been a separate item in the budget, with planning negotiated at the local level as well. 

The voices of opposition, probably unsurprising for Ursula von der Leyen, were not long in coming. What might have been unexpected for the Commission president, however, is the enormous unpopularity of the reform, which, by also creating a common front between EPP and Socialists, has further shaken an already tense atmosphere around the German president.

And this is precisely the context in which today (3 July), the two Italian MEPs Dario Nardella (S&D) and Herbert Dorfmann (EPP), agree in a joint note that “the CAP is under attack: we need a common front to defend the European agricultural sector. We must prepare ourselves for a difficult battle from 16 July onwards, when the European Commission will present its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2027–2034, which could foresee a unification of the budget and major cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy.”

According to the two, who are divided between the opposition and the ruling majority in their home country, such a choice “would represent a very hard blow to the backbone of rural and productive Europe.” Thus, they argue, “defending the CAP today means defending the very idea of a Europe that is solidarity-based, forward-looking and capable of accompanying innovation without leaving anyone behind. We will work with determination,” they promise, “to preserve adequate financial resources and ambitious legislative instruments for the future of European agriculture.”

In Brussels, tensions are escalating with the censorship motion tabled by Bulgarian MEP Gheorge Piperea of the ECR (the right-wing conservative European party). The 72 signatures needed for the motion to pass have been reached (reaching 79), and on 10 July, the Parliament will decide von der Leyen’s political fate. For now, however, the possibility of a majority vote of no confidence seems unfeasible; nonetheless, the political signal is clear: Von der Leyen’s policies are causing discontent on various issues among both the right and left wings of the 720-seat Parliament.

Soon, the President of the European Commission, unable to please everyone, will have to choose who to get support from. The new CAP model does not sit well with many, and given the complex balance on which it is held, the Commission cannot afford to turn against both Socialists and Populars.