The EU Commissioner for Justice, Franco Frattini, is to take some time off to campaign in the Italian elections.
And yet EU law says Commissioners aren’t to engage in any other occupation whether paid or unpaid.
“European Commission vice-president Franco Frattini, one of the most high-profile of the commission’s 27-member team, has decided to return to the realm of national politics and stand in Italy’s general election in order to boost chances of centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi.
Mr Frattini, in charge of justice and home affairs, will take four weeks of unpaid leave from 14 March to 15 April.”
But Article 213 of the Treaty Establishing the European Union says:
The Members of the Commission may not, during their term of office, engage in any other occupation, whether gainful or not
Hmm…