Testing of magistrates, Gratteri: those in top positions or with government responsibilities also narco and alcohol tests

"Psycho-aptitude tests? If we want to do them, they should be done for all the apex sectors of the public administration, for those with governmental responsibilities and for those involved in the management of public affairs'. Thus the Naples prosecutor, Nicola Gratteri, on the sidelines of a press conference.

In addition to the psycho-aptitude tests, which should be administered to those in top positions and also to those with government responsibilities, the Naples prosecutor Nicola Gratteri would also combine narco- and alcohol tests because, he explains, 'those under the influence of drugs can not only make altered reasoning but are also blackmailable'. Gratteri answered journalists' questions on the sidelines of a press conference held at the Public Prosecutor's Office concerning six arrests by the Carabinieri that shed light on two heinous Camorra murders.

From Palazzo Chigi came the go-ahead on Tuesday for the psycho-aptitude tests for access to the magistrates' profession from 2026, similar to the so-called 'Minnesota' tests, to assess the personality of candidates. The legislative decree approved in the Council of Ministers had changes made up to the last minute, which, however, did not mitigate the protests of the National Association of Magistrates: it will be the Superior Council of the Magistracy that will appoint the university professors in psychological subjects who - on the recommendation of the National University Council, an independent body of the university - will be part of the judging commission. The psycho-aptitude interview will take place during the oral test, but already after the written test they will receive tests on a sheet of paper, identified by the Csm, on the model of those used for those carried out for police officers. These will form the basis for the future psycho-aptitude interview, which will in any case be directed by the president of the examining board, and not by a psychologist (who will be present only as an aid), to whom the final judgement on the entirety of the tests will be collegially entrusted.