Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has been rocked by another scandal, this time involving the resignation of Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano. The controversy centers around a consultancy role that Sangiuliano granted to his former lover, Maria Rosaria Boccia, a self-proclaimed fashion entrepreneur.
The scandal unfolded when Boccia publicly announced her appointment as “adviser to the minister for major events” last month. Initially, Sangiuliano vehemently denied the appointment, but he later admitted to having agreed to take her on as an unpaid consultant before ultimately changing his mind due to a perceived conflict of interest.
“I deem it necessary for the institutions and for myself to hand in my resignation,” Sangiuliano stated in a letter to Meloni on Friday. While tendering his resignation, the former minister defended his record and denied any breach of ministerial rules.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Sangiuliano admitted to having an affair with Boccia in a tearful prime-time television interview on Wednesday. He expressed regret and apologized to his wife and Prime Minister Meloni.
Meloni, in turn, had reportedly rejected Sangiuliano’s initial offer to resign.
The scandal quickly dominated Italian media headlines, evoking comparisons to past sex-and-politics scandals in the country, most notably the “bunga bunga” parties hosted by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Boccia has fueled the controversy by posting numerous pictures on Instagram showing herself accompanying Sangiuliano to public events and accessing ministry offices and documents.
In response to the mounting scandal, Angelo Bonelli, the leader of the opposition Green Europe party, filed a complaint with police this week, requesting an investigation into possible misuse of public funds and the disclosure of confidential information. Italy’s audit court is now looking into the case.
Prime Minister Meloni issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, thanking Sangiuliano for his work and announcing the appointment of Alessandro Giuli, President of the MAXXI Foundation, as the new Minister of Culture.
Meloni emphasized the importance of continuing the government’s cultural initiatives and consolidating the “discontinuity with the past” that she promised during her campaign.
Sangiuliano’s resignation marks the first cabinet change for Meloni’s right-wing coalition government, which currently holds the presidency of the G7 forum. While Sangiuliano was considered a close ally to Meloni, he was not a member of her party.
The scandal underscores the ongoing political turmoil in Italy and raises questions about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
