Overview
- Freni, who disclosed Wednesday he would step back, told Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti and Lega leader Matteo Salvini of his decision.
- Giorgetti said the choice was Freni’s and welcomed that he will remain at the Economy Ministry.
- Forza Italia’s Antonio Tajani opposed installing a party figure at Consob, calling for a neutral, authoritative profile for the top job.
- A possible legal review of shifting from a political post to the regulator, along with an EU probe into the autonomy of national authorities, had complicated the bid.
- The withdrawal reopens the search to replace Paolo Savona, with Italian media naming Gabriella Alemanno, Carlo Deodato and Donato Masciandaro as potential contenders.