WTI Magazine #43    2014 September, 17
Author : Francesca Papasergi      Translation by:

After months of rumors around the office, the next High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy was designated. If the Juncker Commission will be voted by the European Parliament, the Italian current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, will be officially put in charge on November 1st, 2014.

Five years after the unsuccessful candidacy of Massimo D'Alema, Italy gets this strategic office. Baroness Catherine Ashton, the incumbent "Lady CFSP" (Common Foreign and Security Policy ), has been very criticized since the beginning: her weak, scarce experience was an Achilles' heel for the Union. She never proved to be neither influential nor authoritative in the international field.

Ms. Mogherini is not a veteran herself. Born in 1973, she was part of the European Youth Forum, and started her career in the Democratic Party's foreign affairs commission in 2003. She focused on Russia and Middle East, and took care of the party's relations with its equivalents around the world. Her achievement is a consequence of the party's overwhelming - and unexpected - result in the last elections. The Partito Democratico has the second most numerous delegation in the European Parliament, and Italy will lead the Union until December 31st.

Mr. Renzi's bet is risky. Ms. Mogherini is notoriously part of his inner circle, and a mediocre performance in such a crucial role would be a damage for Italy. The Juncker Commission needs to restore citizens' confidence in the European Union, to redimension the euroskepticism and consolidate the collaboration among the 28 members. The foreign policy is going to be more fundamental than ever. Good luck, Ms. Mogherini.