French President Emmanuel Macron wants a “changing of the guard” at the presidency of the European Commission, with former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi as the new head, according to today’s detailed report by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The newspaper recalls that almost five years ago the French president had proposed, together with former Chancellor Angela Merkel, the name of Ursula von der Leyen “allowing the Union to get out of a difficult quagmire”. “After four and a half years, according to diplomatic sources, he wants to play the same role”adds La Repubblica.

The article emphasizes that given the critical period we are living in internationally, Europe must rely on a man with experience, like Draghi, who had a significant stint as president of the European Central Bank and “is able to talk to the Chinese leader without inferiority complexes and could control Trump’s unpredictable moves.”

The Italian newspaper adds that Macron has already been in contact, informally, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who should in such a case accept the whole plan and that the current German president of the Commission will not be re-elected. “Von der Leyen could, however, move to NATO, since the term of the current secretary general of the Atlantic Alliance ends exactly next spring”, it is underlined. At the same time, “by electing Draghi as head of the Commission, Chancellor Solz could also satisfy the request of the German Greens, who want a seat on the next European Commission”.

What needs to be ascertained, according to the Rome newspaper, is if the government of Georgia Meloni intends to give its consent. “She herself would like the current Italian Minister of European Affairs, Raffaele Fito, as the new commissioner. But can he say “no” to Draghi and cause such a big rift with France, Germany, and the former central banker? Since the whole plan is said to have received the approval of the White House?” finally asks La Repubblica.