The change of pace of the Draghi government in the fight against the coronavirus continues. The Prime Minister has decided to replace the extraordinary commissioner for the Covid-19 emergency, a role held up to now by Dominic Arcuri. In his place will go the General of the Army Corps, Francesco Paolo Figliuolo.
«To Domenico Arcuri the thanks of the Government for the commitment and spirit of dedication with which he carried out the task entrusted to him in a moment of particular emergency for the country», reads a note from Palazzo Chigi.
Arcuri had been appointed emergency commissioner on 18 March 2020 by the former Conte 2 government with the task of dealing with the supply of masks, personal protective equipment and devices for hospitals. He had also been entrusted with the task of buying desks and chairs for the schools and coordinating the vaccination campaign. In the last weeks Arcuri's role had been at the center of numerous criticisms for delays in administering vaccines and for the Primroses. To this was added the investigation into the maxi-commissions for Chinese masks.
According to the Fatto Quotidiano, the now former commissioner would have been summoned today to Palazzo Chigi where he met Draghi for an interview that lasted about half an hour. Arcuri remains at the helm of Invitalia, Treasury company for investment attraction and business development.
Originally from Potenza, Figliolo has held many positions in the Armed Forces of the Army, joint forces and internationally. He was Chief of the General Office of the Chief of Defense Staff and since 7 November 2018 is Army Logistics Commander. In the international arena he held the role of Commander of the National Contingent in Afghanistan, in the context of the ISAF operation and as Commander of the NATO Forces in Kosovo.
General Figliuolo was awarded numerous honours. Among the most significant are the Decoration of Knight of the Military Order of Italy, the Gold Cross and a Silver Cross of Army Merit and the NATO Meritorius Service Medal.
"I will put my all into it and all possible efforts to face this pandemic. I will work for our homeland and our compatriots”, commented the general. The appointment, he explained, “was a bolt from the blue. For me a great attestation ".
The appointment of Figliuolo follows by a few days that of Fabrizio Curcio, appointed head of the Civil Defense instead of Angelo Borrelli. Therefore, two key figures are changing who will be fundamental in the coming months for the fight against Covid and above all for the acceleration that the Government intends to give to the vaccination campaign.
“President Draghi's choice to replace Commissioner Arcuri with General Paolo Figliuolo, logistics manager of the Army, finally goes in the direction that Italia Viva has been asking for for months. Well! Secret services, vaccines, Recovery plan: good job to the Draghi government ". This is what was written by Matteo Renzi on Twitter.
The leader of the League is also satisfied, Matthew Salvini: “Commissioner Arcuri removed, Army Corps General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo was appointed in his place. Thank you President Draghi. Mission accomplished".
From the opposition, the leader of Fdi also applauds Draghi's choice, Giorgia Meloni: “President Draghi did well in removing Domenico Arcuri as extraordinary commissioner for the Covid-19 emergency. As Brothers of Italy we were among the first to ask to give a clear signal of discontinuity on the bad management of the previous government”.
