Authority, mon amour. The (unacceptable) rule for getting ‘re-appointed’

Authority, mon amour. Is this the South America of the washed-up MP? The authorities, the agencies. The ultimate dream is to end up in one and start in another. Appointments can last up to seven years and, to date, there is a rule preventing a move. Anyone appointed to Antitrust, Consob, Agcom or Arera cannot be appointed to another body at the end of their term. A five-year break is required – a reasonable interval. Except that posts are scarce, and there is a lack of support. What to do? An amendment. It was tabled by Forza Italia’s energy spokesperson, Luca Squeri – a tough character – and submitted to the Competition Bill. It is Amendment 13.079. With a stroke of the pen, the obstacle is removed. It is regrettable that the amendment was deemed inadmissible and was scrapped, just as the appointment of Nuccio Altieri to ANAC was scrapped—the League member who was shot down by his own League colleagues.

At present, Alberto Bagnai has taken up a post at the Competition Authority, whilst Giulio Centemero, another member of the Lega, has joined Consob. Next autumn, the terms of office at Agcom and the Data Protection Authority will expire. It’s a real feast of appointments. Nicola Dell’Acqua, who is close to FdI, has been appointed chair of Arera; another figure close to the party is Lorenza De Marco (a member of the board). Of course, there is also the PD quota. Also sitting on ARERA is Alessandro Bratti (a Franceschini supporter), whilst another is Livio De Santoli (M5S quota). Tajani also has his own representative: Francesca Salvemini, former head of Pichetto’s technical secretariat. At AGCOM, it should be noted that there is another League member, Capitanio, alongside Giacomelli, who represents the PD. At the Data Protection Authority, there is Ghiglia, from FdI. The name for ANAC will be announced at the next Council of Ministers meeting. Salvini assures us that he has the name and that it is top secret. Unassailable. Times have changed: an authority to be appointed is always better than a seat to be won.