Overview
- Vice Premier Antonio Tajani and Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida announced the formal nomination in Brussels.
- Lollobrigida said other European contenders are likely and called for a unified EU position in the leadership contest.
- Martina is the FAO deputy director-general — the first Italian in that role — and previously served as Italy’s agriculture minister and PD secretary.
- The government cast the choice as nonpartisan, while PD lawmakers, Italia Viva leaders and League figure Gian Marco Centinaio expressed support.
- Martina thanked the government and said the campaign now begins, as the Rome-based agency’s current director-general remains in office until July 2027.