de maio today what is the emissary of the european persian gulf doing

Former foreign minister Luigi di Maio, who was not re-elected to parliament in the last political elections on September 25, could soon be the protagonist again.

For him, a role of international “ambassador” is emerging, on behalf of the European Union, as an emissary for the Persian Gulf. However, the theme would be specific. Di Maio should, that is to say, weave diplomatic relations, and bring home contracts, on the supply of gas and hydrocarbons which Europe, grappling with the consequences of the war in Ukraine, has desperately need. The indiscretion which circulates in the political buildings, if it is confirmed, will bring into play the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mario Draghi and Giuseppe Conte.

Photo Ansa / Ettore Ferrari

And this less than two months after the electoral failure of Impegno Civico, the personal party of the former political leader of the Five Stars, created after the split with the M5S. In the elections of September 25, Civic Engagement won 0.6% of the vote and elected only one parliamentarian: Bruno Tabacci. On October 7, Tabacci declared the party experiment over. On October 22, Di Maio resigned as secretary.

Di Maio and Europe

However, twenty days later, the name of Di Maio would be examined by the Brussels institutions with 3 other names, according to rumours. A prestigious and very delicate commitment, one that the former boss of Farnesina could cover. Precisely in view of the key comparisons on the issue of energy and gas supplies to EU countries. Di Maio, who in 2018 led the Five Star Movement to victory in political elections – M5S garnered a sensational 33% of the preferences – is now expelled from the Italian Parliament. On September 25, in the single-member constituency of Naples, he was beaten by Sergio Costa, a five-star candidate and former environment minister in the Conte I and II governments. A colleague, therefore, of Di Maio himself.

Former minister Sergio Costa beat former colleague Di Maio in the single-member constituency of Naples in the political elections on September 25 last. Photo Ansa / Ciro Fusco

After the elections, Luigi Di Maio left the leadership of Civic Engagement, deleted some of his social profiles and greeted Farnesina officials and employees with a long message on Instagram. “Foreign policy today increasingly affects the daily lives of citizens and must be able to interpret the changes”, wrote the former minister on 28 October. A sentence read again in the light of the rumors of the last few hours almost seems to anticipate, between the lines, a new institutional path for the former minister. A decisive weight for Di Maio’s future in the European Union will be played by the EU’s high representative for foreign policy, Josep Borrell. The latter had congratulated Di Maio for his work at Farnesina just a few weeks ago. A “blessing” for a mission?

Josep Borrel, High Representative for EU Foreign Policy. Photo Ansa / Epa Thierry Monasse