ABSTRACT

This chapter analyses traditional aspects of the links between Italy and the Community. A more detailed analysis is dedicated to the Italian Antitrust Agency in order to substantiate the argument that this is an important development for Europeanisation. The central role of the national administration in applying rules is least surprising, since this is the traditional role of the administration. However, the central administration increasingly plays a role in transposition as well. The sectoral agency has been interested in the consequences for the future privatisation projects in the energy sector, whereas the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato has been interested in possible negative effects on competition in the sector. The chapter concludes by summarising the ways in which institutionalising the Italian Antitrust Agency ought to strengthen the influence Europe exercises on Italy in spite of the poor performance of the public administration.