The united opposition has taken a firm stance over Rai posts, making it clear that reaching a bipartisan agreement will be difficult without a broader discussion on the future of public television. This comes after the postponement of nominations until the second week of September when parliamentary activities resume.
The consensus is growing, at least in terms of public service. “The impasse on the structure of the new leadership at Viale Mazzini is evident,” they say.
The opposition group leaders in the Supervisory Commission – Stefano Graziano (Pd), Dario Carotenuto (M5s), Maria Elena Boschi (Iv), Angelo Bonelli (Avs), Giuseppe De Cristofaro (Avs), and Maria Stella Gelmini (Az) – have issued an appeal.
“As opposition forces, we invite the majority to work immediately on the reform of corporate governance.” They explain further that “with the European Parliament’s approval of the Media Freedom Act last March, the current law governing Rai is outdated and needs reform to align with European media freedom legislation. Even if the new top management is appointed under the current system, a revision imposed by EU legislation will still be necessary by 2025.”
Hence, the opposition is calling for a discussion on the rules before making any appointments. An agreement with the opposition is crucial to reach the two-thirds quorum in the Supervisory Commission required for the president to take office.
Resignation of Rai President – Soldi
Threat to boycott vote
The minority’s threat to boycott the San Macuto hall vote, to prevent potential manipulation of the secret ballot, has also contributed to the majority’s inability to proceed quickly with appointing Giampaolo Rossi (Brothers of Italy) as CEO and Simona Agnes (Forza Italia) as president.
The majority, which has 24 votes in the bicameral system, was counting on support from Azione and Italia Viva to reach the 28-vote threshold. However, both parties sided with the rest of the minority. Now, it remains to be seen if Giorgia Meloni, Antonio Tajani, and Matteo Salvini will agree to discuss the reform. They have recently claimed to be open to dialogue, noting that the law wasn’t approved by a center-right government but by Matteo Renzi’s executive in 2015.
“No summit is planned,” Tajani explains. “There is no vote on Rai now. We will meet in the Council of Ministers tomorrow, but no specific meeting is scheduled.”
The opposition suggests laying the groundwork for a parliamentary debate in the States General of Rai, where institutions and political and social forces interested in revamping the public service can participate.
Usigrai also calls for the reform to begin: “For weeks, Rai has been stuck in the swamp. For weeks, we have witnessed an ignoble cattle market. Rai is a national treasure: it must be removed from party control (all of them) and entrusted to competent, independent managers, in the exclusive interest of the citizens.”
