Italian Culture Minister Resigns Amid Controversy Over Affair With Influencer

ROME, Sept 7 (Bernama-dpa) -- Italy's culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, has resigned following allegations that he appointed his lover as a government adviser.

In his resignation letter, Sangiuliano expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her support, reported German news agency dpa citing the ANSA news agency on Friday

The 62-year-old minister had been having an affair with a social media influencer more than 20 years his junior.

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On August 26, 41-year-old Maria Rosaria Boccia took to Instagram to thank him for appointing her as an advisor for major events, including a meeting of G7 culture ministers planned for late September in Pompeii.

The ministry denied the appointment, and Sangiuliano denied paying her with state funds. The sidelined influencer then claimed to have accompanied the minister on several official trips.

It was then reported that the minister had been having an affair with Boccia. In an interview on broadcaster RAI's main news programme on Wednesday evening, he admitted the affair and asked his wife and Meloni for forgiveness.

The former television journalist is a member of Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy party and took office with the change of government in October 2022.

Sangiuliano was known for making a number of gaffes, including once saying New York's famed Times Square was located in London. 

On Meloni's suggestion, President Sergio Mattarella appointed Alessandro Giuli as the new culture minister. He was sworn in at the presidential palace on Friday evening.

--BERNAMA-dpa