Renzi-Mogherini: the ‘Great Cold’ on the Euro-Mediterranean axis

In June 2014 the then President of the European Council, Belgian Hermann van Rompuy, arrived in Rome on a secret mission. At Palazzo Chigi, Van Rompuy explained to Renzi behind closed doors that, were Italy to present Enrico Letta as candidate for the European Council presidency, France and Germany would be ready to support him, which was a guarantee for success. It meant securing a crucial spot on the European power map - where the Council President shapes agenda and priorities - while at the same time keeping the right to appoint an Italian member to the Commission who would be able to defend the Italian interests, though always within the limits of a supranational mandate.

Renzi didn’t like the proposal. After a lengthy tug-of-war that lasted throughout the summer, Renzi won the game and imposed Federica Mogherini for the prestigious role previously held by Javier Solana and Lady Ashton. That was when problems started, owing to a primarily structural reason, linked to the complex job description of this post. The role of High Representative for Foreign Affairs precariously swings between different and often conflicting functions: the Representative is head of European diplomacy, acts as vice-president of the Commission, as well as sole representative of his/her country of origin within the Commission itself. Furthermore, the Representative holds a role of third-party guarantee in chairing the Council of Ministers.

Mogherini could have used a little less of her natural cautiousness, but the fact that cannot change is that the High Representative wears too many hats to be able to act as a sharp-eyed guardian of the interests of his/her country of origin.
A certain cold climate with Federica Mogherini still persists. Perhaps it will warm up in time. But, due to the very nature of the post, and to the Prime Minister’s strong character, it seems it will characterize the whole of his mandate.

ISPI: Commentary: Renzi-Mogherini: the 'Great Cold' on the Euro-Mediterranean axis [PDF] http://www.ispionline.it/sites/default/files/pubblicazioni/commentary_valentino_30_05_16.pdf

---