Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said that her government has not got weakened by a controversy over a consultancy role offered to a minister’s former lover.
Resignation Of Culture Minister
Italy’s 62 year- old Culture Minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano resigned on Friday after a tearful televised apology to his wife.
He was embroiled in a scandal which dominated front pages and became an embarrassment for the government.
In the prime time TV interview on Wednesday, Sangiuliano had acknowledged that Rosaria Boccia had been his lover.
He apologised to Meloni and said that the Prime Minister had rejected his first offer to resign.
Why Sangiuliano Faced A Media Storm?
Sangiuliano had faced a media storm over the role of Maria Rosaria Boccia, a self-proclaimed fashion entrepreneur.
Last week, Rosaria posted on Instagram about her nomination as “Advisor to the minister for major events”.
Meloni Dismisses Perception That The Matter Has Weakened Her Government
“If someone thinks that situations such as these could be a way to weaken the government, I am afraid that’s not case,” Meloni said.
Giorgia Meloni was responding to a question at a business forum in Cernobbio.
Praising Sangiuliano’s work over the past two years, she said she had followed the events “like other women” have.
Giorgia Meloni added: “And I must say that my idea of how a woman earns a role in society is the complete opposite.”
Meloni Criticises Italian Media
Meloni – who had initially rejected Sangiuliano’s offer to resign – also criticised Italian media for giving disproportionate attention to the events over the past two weeks.
“I eventually accepted Sangiuliano’s resignation to spare the government from such media pressure,” she said.
“A minister has quit, let’s welcome the new minister.”
Sangiuliano Replaced
Sangiuliano was replaced shortly after his resignation on Friday by Alessandro Giuli, head of the MAXXI contemporary arts museum in Rome.
It was the first change in Meloni’s right-wing coalition government, which currently chairs the G7 forum of leading democracies.
Meloni Government Enjoys Immense Popularity
Over the past two years, Meloni’s government has enjoyed high popularity ratings and faced a divided opposition.
Sangiuliano was politically close to Meloni, but not a member of her party.
He was also gaffe-prone.
What Sangiuliano Said In Letter To The PM?
“I deem it necessary for the institutions and for myself to hand in my resignation,” Sangiuliano said in Friday’s letter to the prime minister.
He defended his record and denied any breach of ministerial rules.
Investigations
Angelo Bonelli, leader of the opposition Green Europe party, filed a complaint to police this week.
He urged the police to investigate the minister for possible misuse of public funds and disclosure of confidential information.
Italy’s Audit Court is also looking into the case, its representatives said on Friday.
Sangiuliano’s Resignation Letter
He enumerated his achievements in his resignation letter, including fighting alleged cronyism in the disbursement of cinema subsidies.
Gorgia Meloni Praised Sangiuliano
Meloni paid tribute on X to Sangiuliano as a “capable person and an honest man.”
