The Council of Ministers, on the proposal of the Minister for Public Administration, Senator Paolo Zangrillo, has approved the start of the procedure for the appointment of Francesco Maria Chelli as President of Istat. Chelli has been acting president of Istat since last May, chosen as the most senior member of the Institute’s Council when the previous president’s term expired. After various back-and-forth discussions, with the League of Salvini pushing for Gian Carlo Blangiardo, the impasse was resolved with the government’s decision to proceed with open competition to select the new head of Istat. Following the selection process, the Council of Ministers has indicated Prof. Chelli as the nominee, which is expected to receive approval from Parliament this time.
Francesco Maria Chelli is an ordinary professor of Economic Statistics at the Department of Economic and Social Sciences at the University Polytechnic of the Marche since the academic year 2006/07. He is also the delegated vice-rector for territorial relations at Univpm and the president of the course council for “Data Science for Economics and Business” for the academic years 2020/2023. President of the “Alumni” association at Univpm and honorary president of the Italian Society of Economics, Demography, and Statistics, Prof. Chelli has authored over a hundred scientific publications in the field of economic statistics. The Ministry of Public Administration stated that Chelli was chosen for his professional profile, significant research activity, and proven skills in technical, scientific, and administrative management.
The procedure for appointing the President of Istat will now move forward with additional steps. According to article 16, paragraph 1, of Legislative Decree no. 322/1989, the President of Istat is appointed by the President of the Republic, upon the proposal of the Prime Minister, following a deliberation by the Council of Ministers and subject to the opinion of the relevant parliamentary committees. The appointment requires a favorable opinion from the aforementioned committees with a two-thirds majority of its members. This ensures a thorough vetting process before the new President of Istat can assume their role and responsibilities.
The selection process for the President of Istat involved a Commission composed of a state lawyer, an accounting magistrate, and a full professor of statistics, which identified the three most suitable candidates for the position. After considering a list of candidates, the Council of Ministers ultimately recommended Prof. Chelli for the role, indicating a likely approval from Parliament in the near future. This marks a significant development in the appointment process, following months of discussions and negotiations among political parties and stakeholders involved in the selection of the leader of Istat. The decision to proceed with an open competition reflects a commitment to transparency and merit-based selection criteria in filling this important institutional role.
Francesco Maria Chelli’s background and expertise in the field of economic statistics, along with his experience in academic leadership and professional associations, make him a strong candidate for the role of President of Istat. The importance of having a qualified and competent leader at the helm of Italy’s national statistical institute cannot be understated, especially in a time of economic uncertainty and global challenges. As the appointment process moves forward, it is expected that Prof. Chelli will bring his wealth of knowledge and skills to steer Istat towards its mission of providing reliable and accurate statistical data for informed decision-making at the national level.
