Controverse in Italië voor rol Prodi in Europese verkiezingscampagne (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Questions are being raised about Romano Prodi's image being used in adverts for Italy's centre-left parties for the European Parliament electoral campaign while he remains President of the European Commission.

Manifestos published by the so-called Ulivo - a centre-left list of four parties formed at Mr Prodi's behest - prominently feature the face or name of the Commission President.

One advert featuring Romano Prodi's face says: "Iraq: a wrong war. Europe: the force of peace".

A leaflet of the same campaign says: "Finally together. With Prodi. The list for Europe".

Commission spokesperson Reijo Kemppinen said yesterday (11 May) that he was unaware of the Prodi posters.

"I haven't seen any of these posters. I can only imagine they look good", he said wryly on Tuesday.

"The President is not campaigning in any country in the domestic politics", he added.

Returning home

The 65-year old Italian, who is expected to return to domestic politics after he ends his term in Brussels in October, has been under fire since he launched an election manifesto for the Italian left for the European elections last year.

Concerns were raised that as holder of the highest post in the EU executive, Mr Prodi is taking part in a political campaign, thereby breaching rules stating that he should remain independent during his term of office.

The treaty, although somewhat vague, states that "the Members of the Commission shall, in the general interest of the Community, be completely independent in the performance of their duties".

It continues: "they shall neither seek nor take instructions from any government or from any other body" and that they "may not, during their term of office, engage in any other occupation, whether gainful or not".

According to Reijo Kemppinen, there is a "good reason" for Mr Prodi's appearance in the electoral ads.

"I have heard and read that they are using his face in some of these posters as part of their campaign apparently for a very good reason, i.e. that he is ... a very popular politician in Italy and his face bears value to their efforts".

Battle of arch rivals

The European Parliament elections in Italy appear to have become a battle between the two arch rivals, Romano Prodi and Silvio Berlusconi.

Italy's Premier, in a bid to increase the votes for his party Forza Italia, heads the list of his party Forza Italia for June's elections, although he will not be taking the MEP seat if elected.