Overview

• Matteo Ricci emerged from a five-hour interrogation by Pesaro prosecutors this week maintaining his complete non-involvement in the ‘Affidopoli’ corruption allegations
• The probe focuses on over €500,000 in municipal contracts awarded to two no-profits, with Ricci’s former aide Massimiliano Santini accused of siphoning about €106,000 and boosting Ricci’s profile
• Five Star leader Giuseppe Conte ruled out asking Ricci to step aside, citing a lack of evidence and respect for the presumption of innocence
• Conte imposed a ‘protocollo di legalità’ that mandates Ricci to publish all direct assignments in advance and allows M5S to withdraw backing if new facts emerge
• The conditional endorsement bolsters the centre-left’s bid to unseat the centre-right in Marche’s September regional vote as coalition deals in Tuscany, Puglia and Campania remain in flux