San Marino proposes Carabinieri Colonel Paolo Zuccarelli to lead Gendarmeria

The San Marino Congress of State has formally proposed Colonel Paolo Zuccarelli of the Italian Carabinieri to serve as the new Commander of the Gendarmeria. The proposal, formalized on October 13, follows the decision by the current commander, General Maurizio Faraone, to end his mandate early.

Zuccarelli brings extensive strategic and legal-military experience to the role. His background includes serving as a legal advisor (LEGAD) for the Italian Joint Special Operations Command (COFS) and working at the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) in Vicenza, where he coordinated international training programs for foreign security forces.

The appointment must now be reviewed by the Grand and General Council. If approved, Zuccarelli is expected to be awarded the military rank of one-star general, with the Military Congress handling the necessary administrative procedures. This selection aligns with a government directive announced by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Luca Beccari to seek a new commander from within the Carabinieri.