ROME -- Beleaguered Italian pubcaster RAI named Flavio Cattaneo as its new CEO on Wednesday evening after prexy Lucia Annunciata halted Tuesday's board meeting in an attempt to find a candidate without political affiliations.
Cattaneo is prexy and CEO of Milan convention center Fiera Milano, and has helmed local energy companies.
RAI CEO Agostino Sacca was forced to step down after Annunciata and a new board of directors were appointed earlier this month.
Annunciata replaced Paolo Mieli who quit due to "political difficulties" just five days into the job.
Any RAI appointment is watched closely in Italy where Prime Minister and media magnate Silvio Berlusconi effectively controls the media through the pubcaster and his own broadcast company Mediaset.
Cattaneo's official nomination is expected to take place in Rome on Tuesday.
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