Executive’s Russian Ties Cause Stir at Italian Energy Company

ROME—New executives were appointed to top roles in Italy’s leading energy companies on Wednesday, despite fierce opposition from some foreign investors who had challenged the picks made by the firms’ main shareholder, the Italian government.

The most controversial appointment is that of Paolo Scaroni as chairman of Enel, the state-controlled utility company. The nomination of Mr. Scaroni, an energy-industry veteran and ally of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, drew sharp criticism because of his history of close business dealings with Russia.