Italy names Nelli Feroci as temporary European commissioner

The former career diplomat takes over from Antonio Tajani and is expected to serve until a permanent commissioner is appointed.

The Italian government has appointed Ferdinando Nelli Feroci, a former career diplomat, as its temporary member of the college of European commissioners until a permanent replacement for Antonio Tajani is named in the autumn.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is seeking to install Federica Mogherini, his foreign minister, as the EU’s next foreign-policy chief, a post in which she would also be a vice-president of the European Commission and hence Italy’s member of the college of commissioners. The EU’s national leaders are scheduled to discuss the appointment at a special summit in Brussels on 16 July.

Tajani, who was commissioner for in industry and entrepreneurship, resigned as European commissioner to take up a seat in the European Parliament.

Nelli Feroci is currently president of the Italian Institute for International Affairs in Rome and a professor at the School of Government of LUISS university. He previously served as Italy’s permanent representative to the European Union (2008-13). In 2006-08, he was chief of staff of Massimo D’Alema, foreign minister in the centre-left government of Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

He was also director-general for European integration in the foreign ministry (2004-06) and served in various diplomatic posts in New York, Paris and elsewhere.