(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 24 - The European Commission's 2024 Rule of Law report on Wednesday expressed concern about a law recently approved by the government abolishing the crime of abuse of office.
    "In Italy, a new law repealing the offence of abuse of office and limiting the scope of the offence of trading in influence could have implications for the detection and investigation of fraud and corruption," the report said.
    Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said it was necessary to scrap the crime of abuse of office because it was too vague and discouraged local politicians and civil servants from signing off on projects due to fears they will end up under investigation, thus causing "economic damage that affects citizens".
    The Italy chapter of the Rule of Law report said that "the criminalisation of abuse of office and trading in influence are part of the international conventions on corruption and are therefore essential tools for law enforcement and prosecution to fight corruption.
    "Stakeholders have pointed out that abrogating the offence of abuse of office could lead to lower levels of detecting and investigating fraud and corruption," it continued.
    "Moreover, reducing the scope of the offence of trading in influence would need to be counterbalanced by stronger lobbying rules". (ANSA).