Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano has confirmed that he is stepping down from his post, ANSA reported. quoted by BTA.
He is embroiled in an extramarital affair scandal. Sangiuliano announced that he had handed in his resignation earlier in the week to Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni. He admitted to an affair he had with a young lady, but said it was over and that any trips he took with her were with personal money, not public funds. The minister publicly apologized to his wife and also to Prime Minister Meloni for the inconvenience caused.
Melloni initially refused to accept the resignation. But then at a meeting of the governing party "Italian Brothers" she urged everyone not to make mistakes and deviations in behavior that the opposition could use to attack the rulers.
Today, Sangiuliano said his decision to resign is irreversible.
According to Italian media, the young lady with whom he had a relationship - Maria Rosaria Bocha, may have gained access to e-mails related to the Italian presidency of the G-7 and, in particular, to the organization of the meeting of the ministers of culture of the countries of the The Big Seven. Sangiuliano denied that the young lady had access to classified information. He admitted that he had planned to appoint Bocha as an adviser on the organization of major cultural events, but later abandoned this intention because of their love affair. Bocha herself claimed to have learned the appointment.
Sangiuliano thanked Meloni for defending him against criticism and said he was resigning because his honor was at stake and because he wanted to demonstrate his transparency and fairness without involving the government in controversy.
Earlier today, ANSA announced that state auditors have also started an investigation into the minister's case.