Italy’s Antitrust Regulator Dismisses Complaint Against New Leonardo Head

The antitrust agency in Italy dismissed a complaint made against the appointment of Roberto Cingolani, former energy and environment minister, as CEO of defense group Leonardo. A lawmaker from the opposition party reported this development on Monday.

Angelo Bonelli, leader of the Green party, contended that appointing Cingolani went against a conflict-of-interest law that forbids ministers from accepting positions at firms in industries they previously oversaw within a year of leaving their post.

Cingolani was a member of Mario Draghi’s previous government until October 2022, and his responsibilities included ecological issues that Leonardo was interested in. However, his arguments were not persuasive to the Antitrust authority.

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Bonelli informed Reuters that they have received a response and that there is no incompatibility for them.

Last month, Cingolani was selected by the Italian government, which is the leading investor in Leonardo, to be the leader of the company as part of a series of nominations at state-controlled firms.

The ratification of his appointment is scheduled for Tuesday’s shareholders’ meeting.

The 61-year-old former minister, who has a background in physics, has recently provided informal advice to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office regarding energy policy. Prior to this, he held the position of chief technology and innovation officer at Leonardo.