Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Resignations Italian style

Changing of the guard at the Italian central bank:
New Bank of Italy Governor Mario Draghi formally took over his new job Monday, hoping to restore confidence after a takeover scandal tarnished the central bank's reputation.
Draghi, a respected economist, was appointed by Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government last month after the scandal forced the previous governor, Antonio Fazio, to resign.
What I haven't seen mentioned in the international press is what Fazio is doing now. According to an article in yesterday's Corriere della Sera (in Italian):
Il segretario Fabi chiede lumi sul fatto che a Fazio sia stato messo a disposizione un ufficio al primo piano di villa Huffer (con segretaria e auto blu), dove troverà posto anche il famoso quadro di San Sebastiano che campeggiava dietro la scrivania del suo studio a palazzo Koch, insieme a due casseforti che l'ex governatore avrebbe richiesto. Una decisione che ha creato malumori fra gli impiegati degli uffici collocati in quello stabile di fronte a palazzo Koch, che sarebbero stati invitati a evitare le scale. Per non disturbare Fazio.
Apparently, Fazio, who is under investigation, has been offered an office in Villa Huffer, across the street from the headquarters of the central bank, a secretary and a chauffeured limousine. In addition he has taken with him the oft-mentioned painting of Saint Sebastian that used to hang behind his desk at the central bank and two safes. To add insult to injury the staff at Villa Huffer has been asked to avoid the stairs, so as not to disturb him.
What a joke. Makes me thankful I don't pay taxes in Italy...

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