The European Education, Youth,
Culture and Sport Council on Monday gave final approval to the
appointment of former Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio to
the role of EU Special Representative for the Gulf at a meeting
in Brussels, sources said.
The 36-year-old former Five Star Movement (M5S) leader is set
to take up the position on June 1 after being nominated by EU
High Representative Josep Borrell.
Di Maio's name was put forward last year by former Italian
premier Mario Draghi, under whom he served.
In Italy Borrell's proposal of Di Maio met mixed reactions, with
Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani of the
centre-right Forza Italia party describing it as a "legitimate
choice", but saying that Di Maio "is not the candidate of the
Italian government".
Senators from Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Matteo
Salvini's League said the decision to nominate Di Maio was
"politically outrageous".
It is an "affront to the will of Italians who expressed
themselves clearly last September 25 by choosing the centre
right" in general elections, a statement said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
