Italy's European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto has been appointed as the European Commission's vice president for the economy, marking a significant role for the far-right nominee from the Brothers of Italy party.

This appointment comes despite the FdI party's previous opposition to Ursula von der Leyen's confirmation as Commission chief, stemming from their exclusion from discussions on key EU positions.

Fitto's nomination may face scrutiny due to concerns regarding Italy's performance in the multi-billion euro COVID recovery fund, particularly regarding the timely completion of projects.

The new Commission's gender balance has raised eyebrows, with only ten women nominated compared to 17 men, failing to meet the desired parity.

In addition to Fitto, other notable appointments include Latvia's Valdis Dombrovski overseeing enlargement and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, and Spain's Teresa Ribera Rodriguez focusing on the transition.

Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic will continue as the commissioner for inter-institutional affairs, while Czech Minister Jozef Sikela is expected to take on the energy portfolio.

Thierry Breton from France is set to oversee industry and strategic autonomy, further shaping the Commission's focus areas.

The European Commission, which manages around 32,000 staff members, is tasked with proposing new EU laws and ensuring compliance with European treaties.

Negotiations for the new EU budget are anticipated to be challenging, as member states are hesitant to increase spending despite rising demands.

Following the announcement of the new team, the candidates will undergo confirmation hearings in the European Parliament during September and October.

Ursula von der Leyen has made significant decisions regarding the roles of the 26 EU commissioners, with a complete announcement expected soon.

Premier Giorgia Meloni has emphasized the importance of collaboration with von der Leyen, rejecting claims that Italy is isolated within the EU.