Conflict of interest

Law 215/2004 aims to ensure that holders of Government office perform their duties exclusively in the public interest (Article 1(1)).

To this end, the law establishes a set of incompatibilities between Government office and other positions or activities, as a preventive measure.

Within this framework, a conflict of interest arises where a Government act relates to matters in which an office holder has direct or indirect private interests that may conflict with the public duties and responsibilities attached to that office.

The rules on conflict of interest apply to the President of the Council of Ministers, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Undersecretaries of State and Special Government Commissioners appointed under Article 11 of Law 400/1988.

The Italian Competition Authority monitors compliance with the conflict of interest rules applicable to Government office holders and submits a report to Parliament on its supervisory activities every six months, in accordance with Law 215/2004.