CONFLICT OF INTEREST: ANTITRUST OPENS INQUIRY INTO EX-MINISTER GIULIANO URBANI’S APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF RAI
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: ANTITRUST OPENS INQUIRY INTO EX-MINISTER GIULIANO URBANI’S APPOINTMENT TO THE BOARD OF RAI
The Italian Competition Authority, following its meeting today, opened an inquiry into the position of member of parliament Giuliano Urbani with respect to the law governing conflicts of interest.
On 17 May 2005, the Hon. Giuliano Urbani, retiring Minister of Culture, was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of the state broadcaster RAI.
Article 2 of the law governing conflicts of interest specifies that the period of incompatibility for persons who have held government positions lasts for 12 months from the time they leave the government. The rule applies to those cases where a person takes up a post in a public-law entity, including economic entities, or in for-profit companies operating primarily in areas connected with the person’s previous functions.
The Authority, given the fact that the Hon. Urbani’s appointment was made within 12 months of his quitting his previous job, is obliged to determine whether this may represent a violation of Article 2 of the law governing conflicts of interest.
It being deemed not out of the question that there may a case to answer, the Authority decided to commence the proceeding, which will be completed by 15 July 2005.
Rome, 25 May 2005