Last Updated on 05/09/2024 by Arun jain
Italian PM Giorgia Maloney has suffered a fresh blow after her culture minister was forced to admit to an affair with a close ally, a social media influencer who she tried to keep as a ministerial adviser.
In an interview with Italy’s RAI state broadcaster on Wednesday night, Meloni loyalist Gennaro Sanguiliano said he had offered the prime minister his resignation, but she had refused to accept it.
The move comes in response to a scandal that erupted last week when social media influencer, Maria Rosaria Boccia, announced on Instagram that she had a new role as consultant for major events at the Ministry of Culture – a claim the ministry itself denied. Boccia subsequently published documents and pictures of herself on business trips with Sangiuliano, which she said were reconnaissance for the upcoming G7 ministerial meeting on culture in Positano, Italy.
The minister, who is married, admitted that Boccia had accompanied him on business trips, and claimed that he had initially offered her the role, but later “rescinded” the offer after being advised that it constituted a “personal, conflict of interest”. will be due.” emotional” relationship.
In an emotional interview, Sangiuliano insisted that public money was not used to pay for her trips with Boccia, and that she had no access to confidential documents. He tearfully apologized to his wife and Maloney “for the embarrassment they have caused him and the government”.
Another scandal has hit the Culture Ministry this year, with Sangiuliano’s subordinate, then-Culture Undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi. Resigned in February After being accused of laundering stolen artwork.
Post Italy’s culture minister admits to trying to hire a lover as a ministerial adviser appeared first Politico.