Italy's Meloni will welcome the G7 summit fortified by an EU vote that shook French, German leaders
IndependentMAY 25 2024
Meloni Defends Govt After Affair Scandal Prompts Minister's Resignation
Above: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni awaits the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Sept. 05, 2024 in the courtyard of Palazzo Chigi, Rome. Image copyright: Simona Granati - Corbis/Contributor/Corbis News via Getty Images
The Facts
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has claimed that her right-wing coalition government won't be affected by the love affair scandal that prompted her culture minister to quit on Friday.
Gennaro Sangiuliano offered his resignation after admitting to an extramarital affair with social media influencer Maria Rosaria Boccia, whom he had hired as a ministry consultant.
Meloni further took aim at Boccia, who posted to Instagram interactions with Sangiuliano she recorded using her phone and a pair of RayBan Stories. The PM argued that women "should earn a place in society" in a very different way to that proposed by Boccia.
The Spin
Left narrative
Meloni pledged to complete her five-year term without any cabinet changes, so this resignation may indicate that a political crisis looms, as a no-confidence vote is likely if she loses another minister. Additionally, by appointing Giuli, she has doubled down on her goal to use culture to promote her damaging far-right agenda.
Right narrative
Given Giorgia Meloni's popularity, and the fact that Italians are somewhat used to political sex scandals, the resignation of Sangiuliano is likely to close this case once and for all, as well as prevent any threats to the stability of the right-wing government. It's time to move on and let private matters be dealt with in private.
Public Figures
Political split
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