Italy's Culture Minister Steps Down Following Affair with Consultant

Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy's culture minister, resigned on Friday after admitting to an affair with a ministry consultant. This scandal caused embarrassment for Premier Giorgia Meloni's government. Meloni, who had supported Sangiuliano for nearly two weeks, accepted his resignation and described him as an honest man.

Scandal Involving Sensitive Documents

The controversy also involved speculation that the consultant, Maria Rosaria Boccia, had access to sensitive government documents related to an upcoming G-7 culture ministers meeting. The issue surfaced last month when Sangiuliano denied Boccia's social media claim that she had been officially appointed as a consultant in charge of major events.

Boccia responded by filling her Instagram feed with rebuttals, including a recording that seemed to confirm her appointment. She insisted that the ministry had always covered her expenses, contradicting Sangiuliano's denials. In an interview on RAI state television, Sangiuliano stated that Boccia's appointment was never finalised due to the potential conflict of interest from their affair.

Personal Apologies and Ministry Changes

Sangiuliano tearfully apologised during the interview, saying, "The first person I must apologise to, an exceptional person, is my wife. I apologise to Giorgia Meloni, who trusted me, for creating embarrassment for her and for the government." He also mentioned that he had personally paid for Boccia's expenses while she was on ministry business and insisted she never accessed sensitive government material.

During his tenure, Sangiuliano made significant changes in the ministry. He replaced foreign directors at top Italian museums and appointed a new head of the Venice Biennale to counter perceived left-wing bias. He also supported a new 5-euro entrance fee to the Pantheon, Italy's most visited cultural site.

Meloni's Response and New Appointment

In a statement, Meloni thanked Sangiuliano for his "extraordinary work that permitted the Italian government to deliver important results in the relaunch and valorisation of the great Italian cultural heritage, also beyond national borders." She later attended the swearing-in ceremony of Alessandro Giuli as the new culture minister. Giuli has been head of Rome's MAXXI museum of contemporary art and architecture for nearly two years.

Sangiuliano revealed that he ended the brief affair with Boccia on August 8. Despite his efforts to manage the situation, the scandal continued to grow. His resignation marks a significant moment for Meloni's government as it navigates this controversy.

The resignation of Sangiuliano highlights the challenges faced by political figures when personal matters intersect with public responsibilities. The swift appointment of Giuli aims to stabilise the ministry and continue its work in promoting Italian culture both domestically and internationally.