An agreement has finally been reached for Rai governance: journalist Marcello Foa is the new President of Italian public television Rai – Radiotelevisione Italiana SpA, with 27 votes in favor, 3 against, one null and one abstaining.
Marcello Foa, number one of Rai’s top management, was elected with the favorable votes of Movimento 5 Stelle, Lega, Forza Italia and Fratelli d’Italia. Foa reached the minimum quota required, equal to 2/3 of the members. 32 out of 40 MPs were present at the Commissione di Vigilanza, as deputies of the Partito Democratico abstained, contesting the reiteration of Foa’s name.
Foa met the necessary majority that hadn’t been reached on August 1, 2018. On that occasion, the newly elected president had gained 22 votes out of 40, not reaching the 2/3 minimum requested by the election rules. Political parties Partito Democratico, Liberi e Uguali and Forza Italia abstained. Silvio Berlusconi‘s party complained about the lack of consultation with the opposition for the appointment of the president, as should be per custom.
As for yesterday’s vote, according to Forza Italia the reassurance issued by Marcello Foa on the desire to guarantee political, cultural and religious pluralism in Rai while protecting Italian culture and the values of the Constitution, was convincing.
Marcello Foa graduated in Political Science in Milan and has worked for several newspapers including ‘Il Giornale’ of Indro Montanelli, becoming editor-in-chief of the foreign section in 1993.
In his first statements, the new President announced that the first challenge he’ll be faced with is the web: in this field Rai is behind, and Foa hopes to reach the level of other countries, such as the United States and France
