Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano has resigned following a scandal involving the appointment of his former mistress, Maria Rosaria Boccia, as a top adviser, which sparked weeks of controversy for the right-wing government. Sangiuliano, 62, initially denied the affair, but later admitted to hiring Boccia, 41, as an unpaid consultant during a tearful interview on state TV.
Sangiuliano submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday, insisting he had not violated ministerial rules. He apologized to his wife and claimed to have ended the affair in the summer.
The controversy intensified after Boccia posted about the appointment on LinkedIn, and further allegations surfaced when photos showed her accompanying Sangiuliano on official visits, raising questions about the use of public funds and access to classified information.
Sangiuliano denied any misuse of public funds, stating that all of Boccia’s expenses were personally covered. Prime Minister Meloni thanked Sangiuliano for his service, acknowledging his contributions to Italy’s cultural heritage. However, the resignation adds to a series of scandals plaguing Meloni’s government, including allegations against other senior ministers.
Despite the controversies, Meloni’s government, led by the Brothers of Italy party, has maintained relative popularity in opinion polls, with the opposition fragmented across multiple parties
