Italian Agriculture Minister Protests to EU Over Spanish Opposition to FAO Candidate

Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's opposition to the Italian candidate for Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Speaking to La Repubblica, Lollobrigida criticized the Spanish socialist leader for supporting Luis Planas instead of Maurizio Martina, a member of Italy's Democratic Party. Despite backing from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during recent diplomatic engagements with the United States, the candidacy faces significant hurdles within Europe. Lollobrigida blamed Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, for failing to mediate effectively with her European allies. In response, the minister announced he would formally protest to the European Union. A letter conveying this complaint was sent to Maria Panayiotou, the Cypriot Agriculture Minister holding the rotating EU presidency. Although the final decision on the FAO leadership is not scheduled until 2028, Lollobrigida emphasized the urgent need to build political alliances and navigate complex diplomatic tactics to secure support for Martina's bid against the Spanish contender.