Giorgia Meloni tried to maintain the appearance of normality after the scandal with (ex)minister Sangiuliano: “The government has not been affected. I am determined to finish the legislature”
Representatives of Giorgia Meloni’s government coalition welcomed the news of the resignation of Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano: “He is finally free and can show that he is a respectable person,” said Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. But according to Elly Schlein, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Sangiuliano should have resigned earlier.
Although Italy’s culture minister has already been replaced, this is the first major change in Meloni’s cabinet after two years in power.
What led Mr Meloni to take this decision was the lack of clarity regarding the amount of information available to the presumed adviser to the Minister of Culture on sensitive subjects such as the upcoming G7 culture summit.
Concerns have been raised about possible breaches of security measures at the meeting, as well as the impact this could have on Italy’s credibility on the international stage and on the credibility of Mr Meloni’s government.
Approval ratings for the prime minister’s government remain high, and Meloni recently reminded those close to her that there was no room for mistakes at this stage.
Speaking at the Cernobbio International Forum on Saturday, the Italian prime minister described the case as a private matter that had attracted public interest, clearly referring to the love affair between Sangiuliano and Boccia, adding that the government was not shaken by what happened.
The case is not closed. Not only could the former minister be investigated for embezzlement of public funds and disclosure of confidential information, but the Italian Court of Auditors is also examining the case.
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