Italian Minister Resigns Amid Ex-Lover’s Consultancy Scandal, Reports Reuters

By Alvise Armellini and Angelo Amante

ROME – Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano resigned on Friday following a scandal involving a consultancy role for his former mistress, which had become a significant embarrassment for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration.

Sangiuliano, a 62-year-old ex-journalist, had been under intense media scrutiny since Maria Rosaria Boccia, a self-identified fashion entrepreneur, revealed last month that she had been nominated as “Adviser to the minister for major events.” The culture ministry initially denied an official appointment, but Sangiuliano later admitted he had briefly agreed to hire her as an unpaid consultant before reconsidering due to a perceived conflict of interest.

In his resignation letter, Sangiuliano stated, “I deem it necessary for the institutions and for myself to hand in my resignation,” while defending his track record and denying any violations of ministerial regulations.

During an emotional television interview earlier in the week, he acknowledged his past relationship with Boccia, apologized to his wife and the prime minister, and mentioned that Meloni had initially declined his first resignation offer.

The situation has garnered extensive media coverage and drawn parallels to previous political scandals in Italy, including the notorious events associated with former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Boccia has shared numerous photos on social media depicting her attending various public events with Sangiuliano, highlighting her access to ministry resources and documents.

In response to the controversy, Angelo Bonelli, leader of the opposition Green Europe party, filed a complaint with the police this week, calling for an investigation into Sangiuliano for potential misuse of public funds and the disclosure of confidential information. Italy’s Audit Court is also examining the matter, with representatives stating their involvement. Sangiuliano, who maintained that “not a single euro” of public money was spent on Boccia, expressed confidence that the investigation would allow him to clear his name.

In his resignation letter, he highlighted several achievements, including efforts to combat alleged cronyism in cinema subsidies, stating that his work should not be tarnished by gossip.

Meloni praised Sangiuliano on social media as a “capable person and an honest man.” She appointed Alessandro Giuli, the head of the MAXXI contemporary arts museum in Rome and a former journalist, as his replacement.

This marks the first change in Meloni’s right-wing coalition government, which chairs the G7 forum and has maintained solid popularity ratings despite a divided opposition.

Sangiuliano had political ties to Meloni but was not a member of her party. He was known for occasionally making gaffes, such as claiming he would “try to read” books that he should have already been familiar with as a juror.