Italy must improve its legislation and adopt “clear and exhaustive” guidelines to prevent conflicts of interest among “people with top executive functions” (PTEFs), a GRECO report stated.
GRECO, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body, published a report on Wednesday. In its executive summary, it stated the report evaluates the framework effectiveness y to prevent corruption among persons with top executive functions. Top officials (PTEFs) include the prime minister, ministers, undersecretaries, special commissioners, direct collaborators, and members of the police, Carabinieri, and finance police.
GRECO said Italy has a broad legal framework to fight corruption. However, it is complex and inefficient. “This is especially apparent in regulating conflicts of interest and financial disclosure,” the report noted. Different rules apply but do not cover all PTEFs adequately.
The report also stated:
“Italy has a sizeable legal and institutional framework dealing with the prevention and fight against corruption, but it is complicated to navigate, to the detriment of its efficiency. This is apparent in the regulation of conflicts of interest, where several texts address different aspects of such conflicts for different categories of officials, but ministers’ advisers are not covered by any of these regimes.”
“More generally, there is no common integrity framework applicable to all PTEFs. Therefore, a systemic analysis of integrity risks and a specific code of conduct should apply to all, complemented by proper guidance, dedicated awareness-raising activities and confidential counselling on ethical issues. In this context, the rules and guidance relating to gifts, advantages and invitations, the rules on contacts between PTEFs and lobbyists and the post-employment regime need to be strengthened. It is also important that all violations of applicable rules attract proper sanctions, which is not the case at present.”
Current high-level corruption cases
There are a couple of high-profile corruption cases currently underway in Italy.
Firstly, the ex-Ligurian governor Giovanni Toti, is facing corruption charges over campaign funds for political favours.
Secondly, the Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro faces corruption charges over building permits and urban planning decisions.
Good news in the GRECO report
On the positive side, Italy has a good record of implementing GRECO recommendations. The country’s public perception over corruption has improved slightly in the last five years. Furthermore, the police are seen as the body least affected by corruption.
However, this is tempered by the Italian’s own perception of corruption in government which is considerably above the EU average at 85%.
A summary of points is:
- Italy has a good record in implementing GRECO recommendations:
- 77% of recommendations from the first and second evaluation rounds are fully implemented.
- 75% of recommendations from the third evaluation round are fully implemented.
- 42% of recommendations from the fourth evaluation round are fully implemented (compliance procedure ongoing).
- Italy’s position in public perception surveys has slightly improved over the past five years:
- Scores range from 50 to 56 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.
- Italy’s ranking improved from 52nd to 41st position.
- Perception of corruption in Italy remains higher than the EU average:
- 85% of Italians believe corruption in government is a big problem (EU average: 62%).
- 58% fear retaliation for reporting corruption (EU average: 45%).
- According to the European Commission’s 2023 Special Barometer on Corruption:
- 85% of respondents think corruption is widespread in Italy (EU average: 70%).
- 85% see corruption in government as a big problem (EU average: 62%).
- The police are seen as least affected by corruption:
- Only 9% of respondents view most police members as corrupt.
- 68% of Italians would report corruption to the police (EU average: 61%).
